Columbia  (Bttitttwiftp 

tntljeCtfpofJIetogork 

THE   LIBRARIES 


Bequest  of 

Frederic  Bancroft 

1860-1945 


Engraved  kvTLILbnaxi. 


&*v.  '    £,,„,-.,    'She* 


/ 


SKETCHES 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN, 


WHO  WAS 


NEARLY  HALF  A  CENTURY  A  MINISTER  OF  THE  GOSPEL 
IN  THE  METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH. 


JOHN   P.   WRIGHT, 

OF  THE    OHIO    CONFERENCE. 


Cincinnati: 


PRINTED  AT  THE  METHODIST  BOOK  CONCERN, 

FOR   THE    BENEFIT    OF    THE    WIDOW. 
R.    P.   THOMPSON,    PRINTER. 

1851. 


?■ 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1851, 

BY  JOHN   F.  WRIGHT, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  the 
District  of  Ohio. 


7J> 


DEDICATION. 


TO  THE  MEMBERS  OF  THE  OHIO  CONFERENCE. 

Very  Dear  Brethren', — I  am  impelled,  by  many  considerations, 
to  dedicate  the  "  Sketches  of  the  Life  and  Labors  of  James  Quinn  " 
to  you.  He  was  your  senior  brother,  and  was  long  associated  with 
you  in  the  labors  and  sacrifices  of  our  itinerancy.  You  know  he 
loved  you  most  cordially;  delighted  always  in  your  society;  and 
was  ready,  by  counsel  and  otherwise,  to  bear  his  full  share  in  ad- 
vancing the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  And  now  that  he  is  removed, 
and  is  no  more  seen  or  heard  in  your  councils,  you  will  long  cherish 
in  fond  remembrance  his  many  virtues  and  great  worth  of  character; 
and  will,  I  doubt  not,  ever  take  a  deep  interest  in  the  welfare  of 
his  bereaved  widow,  for  whose  pecuniary  benefit  this  work  is 
published.  It  is  hoped,  also,  that  it  will  otherwise  contribute 
to  promote  the  cause  of  Christ,  in  which  you  are  so  earnestly 
and  successfully  engaged. 

I  am,  dear  brethren,  your  fellow-laborer, 

With  sincere  respect  and  affection, 

John  F.  Wright. 

January  22,1851. 


PREFACE 


In  compliance  with  the  resolution  of  the  Ohio  conference, 
I  have  applied  myself,  as  I  could  redeem  time  from  other 
duties,  to  the  labor  of  preparing  this  biography  for  publi- 
cation. The  want  of  materials  out  of  which  to  construct 
it,  has  greatly  embarrassed  and  delayed  my  work.  I 
earnestly  solicited  the  aid  of  Mr.  Quinn's  cotemporaries, 
and  numerous  acquaintances,  and  had  reason  to  hope  that 
many  would  furnish  me  with  important  facts  and  incidents 
connected  with  his  life  and  labors,  which  would  have  aiven 
great  interest  to  the  work.  I  could  not  doubt  but  just 
such  facts  were  treasured  up  in  the  memory  of  his  friends; 
yet  every  method  I  have  adopted  to  influence  them  to  write 
those  facts,  and  transmit  them  to  me,  has  been  attended 
with  very  little  success.  Comparatively  few  have  commu- 
nicated any  thing;  and  to  those  few  I  present,  publicly,  my 
acknowledgments.  Some,  in  reading  this  volume,  will 
think — and,  perhaps,  say — that  the  "Life  of  James  Quinn" 
ought  to  have  been  enriched  with  a  great  many  more  inci- 
dents connected  with  his  useful  labors.  The  writer  is  of  the 
same  opinion;  and  did  what  he  could  to  supply  this  lack. 
Now,  if  the  reader  had  knowledge  of  any  incident  that 
would  have  added  to  the  interest  of  these  "Sketches,"  and 
failed  to  furnish  it,  he  ought  to  blame  himself,  and  sympa- 
thize with  the  author,  rather  than  complain  of  a  want  of 
incidents  in  the  book. 

Near  the  close  of  life,  Mr.  Quinn  confessed  himself  in 
error,  in  not  keeping  a  journal,  and  commenced  writing 
"Sketches"  of  his  own  life.  But,  alas!  this  was  soon 
found  to  be  too  much  labor  for  his  age  and  infirmities;  and, 
after  continuing  his  narrative  through  the  period  of  infancy 
1*  5 


6  PREFACE. 

to  his  dedication  to  God,  in  Christian  baptism,  he  ceased 
to  write. 

The  subject  of  this  biography  has  passed  away,  and  we 
are  assured  that  he  has  made  a  safe  landing  on  the  shore 
of  immortality — having  gained  the  port  of  endless  rest. 
Much,  however,  that  he  experienced,  suffered,  and  did,  on 
earth,  is  unknown  to  us.  His  record  is  on  high;  and  we 
believe  "God  is  not  unrighteous,  to  forget  his  work  and 
labor  of  love."  And  although  he  went  forth  weeping, 
bearing  precious  seed,  he  has  returned  with  rejoicing, 
bringing  his  sheaves  with  him. 

Knowing  Mr.  Quinn's  objection  to  the  prefix  "Rev.," 
on  a  gravestone,  and  as  it  is  not  on  his  monument,  out  of 
respect  to  him  I  have  not  used  it  on  the  title-page  of  his 
"Life." 

Imperfect  as  this  biography  may  be,  it  will  be  eagerly 
sought  after,  and  read,  on  account  of  its  subject,  by  many 
who  were  associated  in  labor  and  suffering  with  the  de- 
ceased; by  many  who  waited  on  his  ministry;  and, 
especially,  by  those  who  were  converted  to  God  through 
his  instrumentality. 

It  is  sent  forth  into  the  world,  accompanied  by  the 
prayers  of  the  author,  that  God  may  make  it  a  blessing  to 
all  classes  of  readers  into  whose  hands  it  may  fall. 

John  F.  Wright. 

Cincinnati,  January  22,  1851. 


CONTENTS 


CHATTER  I. 
Address  to  the  reader — Reasons  for  not  writing — Determines  to  attempt 
it — Birthplace — Ancestry,  and  their  removal  to  the  west — Number  of  chil- 
dren— Greatly  affected  by  his  mother's  death — Religious  training — Amount 
of  tuition  at  school — The  family  library — His  opinion  of  .Esop's  fables — 
He  feared  but  loved  not  God — Longed  for  baptism — Causes  of  its  delay — 
Removal  of  his  parents — They  attend  the  Methodist  ministry — Become 
members — His  father  backslides — Reclaimed  late  in  life — Remarks  on  tho 
effects  of  intoxicating  drinks — Is  baptized,  but  finds  it  did  not  change  his 
heart — The  first  sermon  he  heard,  and  how  he  received  it Tage  13 

CHATTER  H. 
Chasm  in  the  materials  for  his  "Life" — Religious  impressions  and  sedate 
manners — The  first  annual  conference  in  the  west — His  life  endangered 
by  the  bursting  of  a  gun — His  mother's  assurance  that  some  of  her  sons 
would  be  called  to  preach  the  Gospel — The  great  loss  he  sustained  in  her 
death — Towerful  convictions — Leaves  home — Is  employed  in  other  fami- 
lies— Is  thoroughly  awakened — Troposes  himself,  and  is  received  into  the 
Church — His  conversion  and  call  to  the  ministry — Is  employed  by  Air. 
Crooks,  and  asked  permission  to  pray  in  the  family — Resided  with  Mr. 
Foot,  a  local  preacher,  and  longer  with  Mr.  Wilson — All  circumstances 
favorable  to  his  theological  training — Is  licensed  to  preach,  and  recom- 
mended to  the  annual  conference  to  travel — Is  admitted,  and  appointed  to 
Greenfield  circuit — Receives  his  appointment,  and  fixes  on  the  third  of 
June  to  start — Is  greatly  depressed — Is  relieved  by  a  passage  in  the  morn- 
ing lesson — Adopts  it  as  his  motto  through  life 21 

CHATTER  HI. 
Appointed  to  the  Tittsburg  circuit — Western  Methodist  pioneers — State 
of  society — Other  denominations — The  efficiency  of  Methodism — Robert 
Wbreter— State  of  the  Church  people,  and  readiness  to  receive  Method- 
ism— The  first  society  formed  near  Uniontown — Effects  of  Swedenborg'a 
works,  with  a  dream  and  its  interpretation — Doddridge  and  Teeter  fami- 
lies— Indian  depredations — The  Roberts  family — Moriartv,  Fidler,  and  W. 
Lee — The  Meek  family — Btoneman  and  Sphar— Major  M'Culleck  and 
others  in  the  \  trinity  of  Wheeling — Phoebus,  Wilson,  and  Phelps  appointed 
to  Redstone — The  circuit  enlarged — C.  Waymond  and  family— The  im- 
provement of  Asa  Shinn  under  the  theological  training  of  Methodism — 
No  place  for  loungers  in  the  itinerancy— The  Ellsworth  family — roseph 
Chieuvrant — The  Hacker  family— W.  Strange  got  lost  and  perished  in  the 

7 


8  CONTEXTS. 

woods — John  Strange  sent  forth — Barren  regions,  with  fierce  opposition — 
Universalism — Conference  at  Uniontown — Immigration  to  the  west — Great 
loss  sustained — Talbot,  Stewart,  and  Wakefield — Debate  between  Cook  and 
Jamison — Connellsville  and  the  Connell  family Page  29 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Ordained  deacon,  and  appointed  to  Erie  circuit — Feels  his  responsi- 
bility— State  of  the  population — Forms  a  large  circuit,  embracing  eight  or 
ten  classes — First  class  organized  at  J.  Mershon's — Could  do  nothing  at 
Meadville — Great  scarcity — Buffers  with  the  people — Finds  R.  R.  Roberts, 
and  urges  him  to  help  at  a  watchnight — Sees  him  made  bishop — Lived  to 
see  other  great  changes — Appointed  to  Winchester — Two  circuits  united — 
The  plan — Oterbine's  societies — Fruitless  effort  of  Vasey — A  revival — 
Young  men  of  Winchester — J.  Fry  and  others  become  preachers — Clothes 
threadbare  and  no  money — Valuable  local  preachers — Fall  of  his  col- 
leagues— E.  George  and  others  entered  the  field — Glorious  success — A 
pleasant  day  spent  in  good  company — Asbury  preaches  at  Winchester — 
Meets  O'Kelly — Prays  at  the  meeting  of  the  company  at  Mr.  Phelps' — No 
light  talk — Grave  subjects  selected  for  social  entertainment — The  com- 
pany described  and  named — Intellectual  musical  instruments — Dinner — 
Profitable  conversation — Song  of  praise — Prayer  and  benediction  by  Mr. 
Asbury 57 

CHAPTER  V. 

Attends  conference  at  Baltimore — Ordained  elder — Views  of  his  ordina- 
tion vows — Escapes  a  city  station — Appointed  to  Redstone  circuit — Reports 
to  Bishop  Asbury  his  intention  to  marry — Conversation  on  that  subject — 
Conducted  himself  prudently  toward  women — Marriage — No  provision 
then  made  for  house-rent,  fuel,  and  table  expenses — Thrown  from  his 
horse — Kindness  of  a  young  woman — After  the  lapse  of  many  years,  does 
her  a  kindness — Success  in  his  labors — Attends  the  annual  and  General 
conferences — Views  expressed  by  old  Methodists — Organization  of  the 
General  conference — Solemn  address  of  Bishop  Whatcoat — Resolution  to 
review,  and  pass  upon  the  entire  Discipline — Proceeded  accordingly — 
Amendment  proposed  to  the  eighth  article — Doctor  Coke's  speech — Motion 
to  amend  withdrawn — Article  on  civil  government— All  American  Churches, 
even  Romanists,  should  give  such  a  pledge  to  the  civil  government — The 
necessity  of  a  delegated  General  conference  argued,  admitted,  but  no  plan 
adopted — Restrictive  rules — Bishops — Presiding  elders — Quarterly  confer- 
ence— General  conference  of  1808 76 

CHAPTER  VI. 

His  father-in-law  and  he  remove  to  the  west — His  cabin — Attends  con- 
ference— Appointed  to  Hockhocking — Size  of  his  circuit — Long  from 
home — His  first-born — Contrast — Disposition  of  the  aged — Cakes  of  fine 
flour  a  great  rarity — Visit  of  Bishop  Whatcoat — Returned  to  the  same 
circuit — Some  success — Appointed  to  Scioto  circuit — Farther  from  home — 
Visits  his  family  but  seldom,  and  that  with  great  labor — Furnishes  the 
sacrament  to  his  charge — A  great  change — An  instance  of  usefulness— 


CONTENTS.  9 

Meets  an  immigrant  in  the  woods — Lodges  with  him — Mrs.  Jane  Trimble — 
Thrilling  incident — Locates — Suffers  great  distress  of  mind— Embarrassed 
in  his  temporal  affairs — Consents  that  Lisbon  Asbury  might  present  him 
to  the  conference  for  readmission Page  90 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Is  readmitted  into  the  conference — -Appointed  to  Muskingum  district — 
Reminiscences  of  Bishop  Asbury — ('amp  meetings — Their  origin — A  de- 
scription of  one  in  their  primitive  simplicity  and  power — Their  effect  on 
preachers — Continuous  labors  of  presiding  elders — Business  duties  of  pre- 
siding elders — Mr.  Quinn  is  faithful — Candidates  for  the  itinerancy — Their 
course  of  study — Wesleyan  plan  successful — Testimony  of  a  doctor  of 
divinity — Pedantry  rebuked — Was  not  opposed  to  a  collegiate  education — 
Is  abundant  in  labors — Is  successful — Testimony  of  Jacob  Young — Bishop 
Morris'  description  of  a  camp  meeting — Testifies  to  the  eloquence  and 
power  of  Mr.  Quinn  in  the  pulpit — Territory  divided  into  two  districts — 
Is  appointed  to  Scioto  district — Continued  four  years — Visits  sick  and 
dying  soldiers — Conversion  of  one  reported  after  the  lapse  of  many 
years 100 

CHAPTER  VTA. 

Historical  account  of  Methodism  in  the  valley  of  the  Ohio  and  its  tribu- 
taries— Notice  of  camp  meetings  as  held  in  early  times — Valedictory — At- 
tends the  General  conference  of  1816 — Account  of  that  session — Leaves 
Baltimore  for  the  west — Extreme  illness— Mrs.  Quinn  meets  him  at  Cum- 
berland— Thrilling  incident — Closes  his  four  years  on  the  district — Poor 
health — Made  supernumerary — Appointed  in  charge  of  Fairfield  circuit — 
Teaches  the  people  publicly,  and  from  house  to  house — Pastoral  visits — 
Their  salutary  effects — Duty  and  encouragement  of  ministers  to  be  faithful 
pastors — Pursues  the  wanderer — An  incident — Appointed  to  Pickaway  cir- 
cuit— Stationed  in  Cincinnati — Reappointed — Attends  the  General  confer- 
ence in  1820 — Account  of  the  conference — The  cause  of  education  and  of 
missions  receive  a  powerful  impetus — A  remarkable  dream — Fulfilled  as 
he  interpreted  it  next  morning — Honorable  course  of  the  bishop  elect — 
Stationed  two  years  in  Chilicothe — Long  and  dangerous  illness — Appointed 
to  Deer  Creek  circuit — Family  remains  in  Chilicothe — Death  of  his  wife — 
Greatly  affected  by  the  bereavement — Poem  composed  after  her  death — 
Travels  for  the  benefit  of  his  health — Letter  to  Mr.  Williams — Appointed 
to  Brush  Creek  circuit — Attends  the  General  conference  in  1824 — British 
delegates — Petitions  for  a  lay  delegation — Election  of  Bishops — Letters 
to  Mr.  Williams — A  year  of  trial — Solicitude  for  his  motherless  daughters — 
Extracts  of  sundry  letters  to  two  of  them — Severe  affliction — Sweet  sub- 
mission   117 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Appointed  to  Zanesville — Second  marriage — Letters — Appointed  to 
Fairfield  circuit — Subordinate  relation — Reappointed — Stationed  at  Chili- 
cothe— Attends  the  General  conference  at  Pittsburg — -Appointed  to  Hills- 
boro  circuit — Purchases  a  home — Returned  to  Hillsboro — Enforces   Dis- 


10  CONTENTS. 

cipline — Appointed  to  Wilmington — Family  devotions — Manner  of  instruct- 
ing and  praying  for  las  children — Peculiar  fervor  in  prayer  on  leaving 
home — His  wife  inspired  with  great  confidence — Great  gift  in  prayer — 
Success — Singular  incident — Appointed  to  Straight  Creek  circuit — Labori- 
ous  field — A  great  change — Attends  the  General  conference  at  Philadel- 
phia— Extract  from  the  Bishops'  Address — Rev.  J.  G.  Bruce's  letter — His 
and  the  testimony  of  others  in  regard  to  Mr.  Quinn — Love-feast  expected — 
Disappointment — Importance  of  keeping  our  Rules — Is  punctual  to  his 
appointments — Kindly  reproves  and  counsels  his  junior  brother — Well 
received  and  practiced  on  ever  since — Appointed  to  Washington  circuit — 
Hard  labor — Is  exposed  in  a  muddy  region — Letter  to  Mrs.  Clark — Ap- 
pointed to  Hillsboro  circuit — He  and  colleague  have  a  prosperous  year — 
Appointed  to  Sinking  Spring — Small  circuit Page  141 

CHAPTER  X. 
Is  appointed  presiding  elder  on  the  Lebanon  district — Adam  Miller's 
notice  of  him — Attends  the  General  conference  at  Cincinnati — Canada 
conference  claim — Bible  Society — Missionary  secretary — Liberia  confer- 
ence formed — Rule  to  locate  a  preacher — Death  of  Bishops  M'Kendree  and 
Emory — Waugh,  Fisk,  and  Morris  elected — Fisk  to  be  ordained  when  he 
should  return  from  Europe — He  is  safe  in  counsel — His  views  of  bishops — 
Is  appointed  to  the  Chilicothe  district — Great  improvement  in  twenty-four 
years — Reminiscences — Bishop  Asbury  among  log-cabins — On  the  Mus- 
kingum— Entrance  of  Methodism  into  Marietta — Continues  three  years  on 
this  district — Affecting  incident — Ministers  should  instruct  the  children — 
His  skill  and  success  as  a  pastor — A  good  work  on  pastoral  visits  a  desid- 
eratum— Books  enough  to  aid  in  pulpit  labors — The  importance  of  visiting 
pastorally — If  we  would  maintain  spiritual  life  as  a  Church,  it  must  be 
done — Two  instances  of  his  skill  and  success  in  this  work — His  striking 
manner  of  setting  forth  practical  truths  in  his  discourses — Two  specimens — ■ 
His  power  in  the  pulpit — Twenty  men  added  to  the  Church  under  one  ser- 
mon— A  specimen  of  his  pulpit  eloquence — Wonderful  effects 157 

CHAPTER  XL 
His  district  enlarged — Death  of  his  daughter — Encouraging  dream — 
Closes  his  labors  on  the  district — Keeps  a  journal  for  three  weeks — Starts 
to  conference — Lodges  at  Washington — Recollections  of  the  past — Cheno- 
weth  family — Columbus,  what  it  is  and  what  it  was — Rev.  W.  Hogue — 
Franklinton — Mr.  Grubb — General  Harrison — Fallen  ministers — Worthing- 
ton — Female  academy — Bigelow  and  Strange — How  Methodist  ministers 
learn  to  preach — Delaware — Wonderful  change — Galena — The  Carpenter 
family — Granville — Newark — Old  circuit — Muskingum  district — Reaches 
Zanesville — Conference  begins — Conference  closes — Leaves  for  his  work — 
Reaches  Rushville — Large  society — Lancaster — Tarleton — Kingston — J. 
Crouse — Chilicothe — Returned  to  Wilmington  circuit — Revival — V.  Cook — 
Appointed  agent  of  the  Preachers'  Relief  Society — Address 182 

CHAPTER  XH. 
Is  made  supernumerary — A  severe  trial — Letter  to  his  brother — Fierce 
opposition  to  the  Methodists  in  the  west — Public  discussion  between  Mr. 


CONTENTS.  1  1 

Jamieson  and  Mr.  Cook — Debate  between  Mr.  Welsh  and  Mr.  Scott — Dis- 
cussion on  baptism  between  V.  Cook  and  John  Corbly — School  at  Union- 
town — Produced  some  literary  fruit — Claims  to  be  a  western  man — Three 
classes  of  preachers — Great  embarrassment  to  such  as  had  families — Lots- 
peicb  in  distress — Soon  after  removed  by  death — The  western  pioneers 
worthy  of  respect — Redundancy  of  laborers — Ministers  invited  farther 
west — Invited  to  attend  large  meetings — Bad  conduct  of  young  men — 
Successful  method  of  reproving  them — Wonderful  effect — Sometimes  re- 
proved with  severity — Case  of  a  young  woman — Failed  in  one  case — Inter- 
view between  Bishop  Asbury  and  Mr.  O'Kelly — Reason  O'Kelly  left  the 
Church — He  aud  adherents  organize Page  211 

CHATTER  Xffl. 

Depression  relieved  by  the  courtesies  of  the  people — Letter  to  Mr.  Fow- 
ble — Is  superannuated — Embarrassing  relation — Some  in  it  have  not  been 
treated  kindly — He  shared  much  attention — Death  of  his  brother  Isaac — 
Letter  to  his  brother  Matthew — 'The  General  conference  of  1844 — Greatly 
affected  by  its  sayings  and  doings — Attends  conference  at  Marietta — An 
affecting  scene — Addresses  the  conference — Is  approved  by  his  brethren — 
Trusts  alone  in  Christ — Admits  himself  worn  out — Retrospects  the  past — 
Contrasts  it  with  the  present — Afflicted  in  anticipation  of  the  division  of 
the  Church — Save  the  union — Let  not  the  living  child  be  cut  asunder — 
Take  care  of  the  widows  and  orphans — Reminiscences  of  Cincinnati — The 
conference — Bishop  Asbury — Lines  on  a  lock  of  his  hair — Note  from 
Mrs.  C. 231 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

His  disposition  to  honor  the  good  and  useful — What  is  said  of  the  pious 
dead  may  do  the  living  good — The  Ellsworth  family — Many  reminiscences 
connected  therewith — Always  was  a  friend  to  temperance — Letter  to  Rev. 
John  G.  Bruce,  embracing  matters  of  great  interest — Second  letter  to  the 
6ame — Plan  of  Philip  Henry — Pleasantry  toward  southern  writers; — Let- 
ter to  Professor  Merrick — Is  not  to  be  suspected  of  opposition  to  sound 
learning — Defends  the  plain,  common-sense  preaching  of  the  old  Methodist 
preachers — The  revival  in  Wesley's  day  was  chiefly  through  the  instru- 
mentality of  an  uneducated  ministry — Declines  giving  Bishop  Asbury's 
Bible — Was  never  connected  with  any  literary  institution — Was  a  kind  of 
president  of  "  Brush  College" — His  connection  with  Mr.  Wesley  in  orders — 
His  health — Letter  to  the  writer — Letter  to  J.  W.  Fowble — Attends  the 
conference  at  Piqua — Address  to  his  brethren — Collection  raised  for  his 
benefit — Presented  by  Rev.  G.  W.  Walker  with  an  address — His  response — 
A  skeleton  of  one  of  his  sermons 2 17 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Return  from  conference — Good  spirits — Anecdotes — Conversation  a 
source  of  information — Dreads  the  common  habit  of  old  men — Watches, 
and  is  safe — Pioneer's  rest — Description  of  the  house — Furniture — En- 
gravings— Springs,  garden,  orchard — Barn  and  stock — Venerable  owner — 
Has  learned  how  to  be  old — Lights   and  shadows  of  his  itinerant  life— 


12  CONTENTS. 

Letter  to  his  son — Attentive  to  his  own  children  and  other  youths — Good 
counsel — Resurrection  of  the  body — Dangerous  illness — Depressed  and 
tempted — Victory  obtained — Beautiful  poem — Private  interview— Expresses 
his  wishes  in  regard  to  his  interment  and  funeral — Recovers,  and  lives 
several  months — Happy  retrospection — Tale  of  hardships — Hockhocking 
Valley — Athens — University — Preachers — Rev.  Henry  S.  Fernandes — His 
tomb — Quarterly  meeting — Address  in  love-feast — Accompanies  the  writer 
to  Louden  Church — Rests  well — Happy  in  the  morning — His  solicitude  to 
attend  conference — Is  gratified — Farewell  address — Present  conference — 
Western  conference  in  1804 — Field  of  labor — Scioto  circuit — Hard  labor — 
Discouragements — Some  returned  to  worldly  business — Others  kept  on, 
cheered  by  the  blessing  of  God — First  church  in  the  Scioto  Valley — Wes- 
leyan  succession — New  Testament  authority — The  bishops — "Whole  itiner- 
ant plan Page  274 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

His  return  from  conference — Physical  condition — Enjoyment  of  mind — 
Letter  to  Bishop  Janes — Kindly  acknowledged — Letter  of  Bishop  Asbury — 
Attends  the  election — Gradually  declines — Hemorrhage  of  the  lungs — 
Conversed  with  difficulty — Expatiates  on  the  atonement — Extraordinary 
eloquence — Long  preached  Christ — Nothing  to  take  back — Favorable  off- 
set— Visit  of  the  writer — State  safe  and  happy — Blesses  his  household,  and 
commends  them  to  God — Sets  forth  his  own  state  by  the  experience  of 
another — Family  collected — Reading  the  Scriptures,  and  prayer — Blessing 
pronounced  on  the  writer — All  is  peace — Death-bed  scene — Interment  and 
funeral — Synopsis  of  the  sermon — Burial  service  read — Monument  at  his 
grave — Inscription 302 

CHAPTER  XVH. 

His  person — Bight — Never  corpulent — His  countenance — Hair — Social 
qualities — Admired  and  respected  by  all  who  knew  him — Movements  of 
body  and  mind — Steady  and  uniform — Promptness  in  decision  and  ac- 
tion— Ministerial  vows — Of  moral  obligation — Discharged  his  duty  in 
every  relation — In  strict  conformity  to  rule — Appearance  in  the  pulpit — 
Impression  of  his  hearers — His  voice — Eloquence — His  style — Mixture  of 
argument  and  application — Addressed  the  understanding  and  heart — The 
Bible  was  his  authority — Selected  his  subjects  with  judgment — Skill  in 
his  arrangement — Well  instructed  in  the  Scriptures,  and  aU  subjects  con- 
nected with  his  work — Could  manage  well  what  he  knew — The  atonement 
his  favorite — All  the  attributes  combined — Scenes  of  Calvary — Great  effect 
on  his  auditors — Lover  of  the  poets — Used  them  to  good  effect — Can  not 
be  described — His  conversation  was  a  feast — A  lover  of  Methodism — Was 
set  for  its  defense — His  public  prayers — Abounding  in  Scripture  language — 
Taught  much  truth  in  his  prayers 316 


SKETCHES 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN. 


CHAPTER    I. 

Address  to  the  reader — Reasons  for  not  writing — Determines  to 
attempt  it — Birthplace — Ancestry,  and  their  removal  to  the  west — 
Number  of  children — Greatly  affected  by  his  mother's  death — Re- 
ligious training — Amount  of  tuition  at  school — The  family  li- 
brary— His  opinion  of  JEsop's  fables — He  feared  but  loved  not 
(rod — Longed  for  baptism — Causes  of  its  delay — Removal  of  his 
parents — They  attend  the  Methodist  ministry — Become  members — 
His  father  backslides — Reclaimed  late  in  life — Remarks  on  the  ef- 
fects of  intoxicating  drinks — Is  baptized,  but  finds  it  did  not 
change  his  heart — The  first  sermon  he  heard,  and  how  he  re- 
ceived it. 

In  compliance  with  the  earnest  request  of  many  friends, 
Mr.  Quinn,  in  his  sixty-eighth  year,  commenced  writing 
"sketches"  of  his  own  life  and  labors.  On  account  of 
his  enfeebled  state  at  that  period  of  life,  he  made  but  little 
progress  in  this  desirable  work.  The  little  he  did  write, 
however,  is  deemed  of  much  interest,  and  is  certainly  very 
appropriate  with  which  to  commence  his  biography. 


"ADDRESS    TO   THE    READER. 
"  I  have  often  been  urged  by  my  brother,  Rev.  Dr.  Isaac 
Quinn,  and  other  friends,  as  Samuel  Williams,  Dr.  How- 
land,  etc.,  to  prepare  and  leave  some  account  of  my  Chris- 

2  13 


14  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

tian  experience,  life,  and  ministerial  labors.  To  this  I  have 
felt  a  repugnance,  for  several  considerations;  as, 

"1.  That  in  my  experience  there  was  nothing  of  a  spe- 
cially-interesting character;  so  that  its  readers  would  find 
nothing  but  what  they  had  read  and  heard,  both  from  the 
living  and  the  dead.  Nothing  new  could  be  added — no 
new  light  emanate  from  my  production  on  the  subject  of 
evangelical  experience,  embracing,  as  it  does,  supernatural 
illumination,  inducing  repentance,  justification,  and  renova- 
tion, ultimating  in  a  complete  removal  of  the  old  man  in 
righteousness  and  holiness;  an  entire  deliverance  from  the 
spirit  of  bondage  unto  fear,  and  the  constant  indwelling  of 
the  Spirit  of  adoption,  while  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit  are  de- 
veloped both  in  the  inner  and  outward  man.  In  the  com- 
mencement, progress,  and  final  result,  there  is  a  constant 
conflict  between  nature  and  grace,  while  visible  and  invisi- 
ble agencies  are  engaged  on  both  sides.  Hence  the  severe 
conflicts  which  enter  into  the  experience  of  all  Christians. 
The  man  himself  is  called  into  action,  for  he  is  not  a  pas- 
sive receiver — as  some  have  taught — but  has  an  important 
part  to  act.  Sometimes  he  takes  sides  with  nature  against 
grace,  and  'gives  place  to  the  devil;'  sometimes  he  takes 
sides  with  grace  against  nature,  'resists  the  devil,'  and 
'draws  nigh  to  God.'  Hence,  in  the  experience  of  both 
people  and  preachers  you  see,  as  in  the  Shulamite,  '  as  it 
were  the  company  of  two  armies.'  There  may  be  shades 
of  difference,  owing  to  a  variety  of  circumstances — as  con- 
stitutional temperament,  education,  habits,  modes  of  think- 
ing and  speaking,  etc.;  yet  a  genuine  Christian  is  substan- 
tially the  same  in  all  the  subjects  of  grace;  so  that,  'as  in 
water  face  answers  to  face,'  so  in  Christian  experience 
grace  answers  to  grace. 

"2.  As  to  my  life  and  labors  in  the  ministry,  they  were 
commenced  under  unpropitious  circumstances,  and  have 
been  prosecuted  in  a  very  imperfect  manner.     Their  his- 


LIFE  AND   LABORS  OF  JAMES*  QUINN.  15 

tory  would  exhibit  but  little  in  which  posterity  would  be 
likely  to  take  an  interest,  or  from  which  those  who  come 
after  could  draw  much  profit,  in  the  prosecution  of  the  great 
work  for  which  they  are  much  better  qualified  than  I  have 
been. 

"But  my  last  objection  to  this  work  is,  that  I  have  kept 
no  journal — that  was  a  fault,  I  confess;  and  now,  if  I  write 
any  thing,  in  my  sixty-eighth  year,  I  must  depend  chiefly 
on  memory. 

"Are  these  reasons  not  sufficient,  my  brother  and  good 
friends?  You  say,  No,  and  still  urge  me  to  write!  Well, 
then,  by  the  help  of  God,  I'll  try.  J.  Q. 

"May  29,  1842." 


"I  was  born  in  the  county  of  Washington,  state  of 
Pennsylvania,  April  1,  1775.  My  father,  John  Quinn, 
was  the  son  of  James  Quinn,  of  the  county  of  Armagh, 
Ireland.  He  left  his  father  and  came  to  America  about 
the  year  1769.  My  mother  was  Sarah  Henthorn,  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Fanny  Henthorn.  Her  parents  were  from 
Ireland;  but  she  was  born  and  raised  in  the  state  of  Mary- 
land. Her  father  was  among  the  first  adventurers  to  the 
Redstone  country,  and  was  associated  with  the  Beesons 
and  others,  who  built  a  fort,  for  the  protection  of  themselves 
and  families,  on  the  spot  where  Uniontown  now  stands.  I 
think  they  were  there  when  Braddock  met  his  defeat,  in 
1755. 

"My  mother  was  married  young,  and  with  her  husband 
settled  near  Washington,  then  called  Catfish,  after  an  old 
Indian  captain,  or  chief,  who  had  his  camp  and  wigwam 
near  or  at  that  place.  My  mother's  first  husband  died 
young,  and  left  her  a  widow  with  one  or  two  small  chil- 
dren— all  dead,  long  since.  My  father  came  to  that  coun- 
try in  company  with  Col.  John  Cannon,  the  proprietor  of 


16  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

Cannonsburg,  where  he  became  acquainted  with  and  mar- 
ried my  mother.  She  lived  to  give  birth  to  four  sons  and 
three  daughters,  and  on  the  day  that  her  oldest  son — my- 
self— Was  fourteen  years  old  closed  her  eyes  in  death. 
Ah,  never  shall  I  forget  that  scene!  It  is  still  present  to 
my  mind,  though  more  than  half  a  century  has  elapsed. 
Overwhelmed  in  sorrow  and  bathed  in  tears,  I  saw  her 
breathe  her  last.  My  parents  were  raised  and  educated  in 
the  Church  of  England,  and,  I  suppose,  thought  them- 
selves pretty  good  Church  people.  They  took  some  pains 
to  instruct  their  children  in  the  principles  of  religion  and 
morality.  By  repeating  after  my  mother,  I  had  committed 
to  memory  the  Lord's  Prayer,  the  Ten  Commandments,  the 
Apostles'  Creed,  and  the  Church  Catechism,  by  the  time  I 
was  five  or  six  years  of  age;  so  that  religious  truth  and  a 
sense  of  moral  obligation  were  impressed  on  my  mind, 
yea,  deeply  infixed,  while  I  was  very  young.  Hence,  I 
may  say  I  feared  God  from  my  youth;  yet  it  was  rather  a 
servile,  tormenting  fear,  which,  however,  in  some  good 
degree,  restrained  me  from  running  into  sin. 

"My  parents  had  a  pretty  good  English  education,  and 
were  anxious  to  give  the  same  to  their  children,  but  they 
wanted  opportunity;  for  we  seldom  had  schools,  and  they 
were  of  a  very  inferior  character.  I,  however,  got  some  six 
or  nine  months'  schooling;  so  that  I  read  pretty  well  and 
wrote  some  by  the  time  I  was  seven  or  eight  years  old. 
My  father  procured  for  me  a  New  Testament,  which  I  re- 
garded as  a  great  treasure,  and  read  it  over  and  over  many 
times.  This  Testament  and  old  Dilworth  were  all  the 
books  I  had,  and  their  contents  were  eagerly  devoured. 
One  day  my  father  brought  home  a  newspaper — the  old 
Pittsburg  Gazette.  I  laid  hold  on  it  with  great  avidity, 
and  read  it  over  and  over,  till  it  was  literally  worn  out.  I 
had  a  great  love  for  books,  and  was  fond  of  reading,  but 
was  confined  to  very  few.     The  principal  books  were  the 


LlFK  AND  LABOBS  OF  JAMES  OJ  l.\.N.  17 

New  Testament,  and  the  old  book  of  Common  Prayer, 
which  my  father  had  brought  with  him  from  Ireland. 
This  paucity  of  books,  however,  in  one  sense  proved  a 
blessing;  for,  if  we  had  but  few  books,  we  possessed  the 
'book  of  books,'  and  no  trash.  The  only  book  of  a  fabu- 
lous character  that  fell  into  my  hands  before  my  sixteenth 
year,  was  uEsop.  When  I  first  saw  it,  I  thought  it  told  a 
great  many  big  lies,  when  it  represented  beasts  and  birds 
talking.  This  was  explained  to  me  by  my  mother;  yet 
still  I  thought  it  came  very  near  lying.  I  had  some  idea 
of  trying  whether  /  could  not  lie  in  the  same  way  and  yet 
speak  the  truth. 

"I  had  a  sense  of  the  majesty  and  glory  of  God,  and  a 
fear  of  offending  him;  yet  my  heart  rose  up  in  opposition 
to  him.  Truly,  'the  carnal  mind  is  enmity  against  God.' 
Upon  my  knees  I  repeated  '  Our  Father  who  art  in  heaven;' 
yet  I  loved  him  not  as  a  father,  and  feared  he  did  not  and 
would  not  own  me  as  his  child.  I  sometimes  prayed,  then 
sinned,  and  then  was  afraid  to  pray. 

"My  Catechism  taught  me  that  in  baptism  I  should  be 
'  made  a  child  of  God,  an  heir  of  Christ,  and  an  inheritor 
of  the  kingdom  of  heaven;'  but,  alas!  I  had  not  been  bap- 
tized. Then  I  longed  for  baptism,  and  so  did  my  parents; 
for  they  were  afraid  that  their  children  would  be  shut  out 
of  heaven,  and  damned  for  want  of  the  regenerating  sacra- 
ment. It  was  out  of  our  reach.  The  Presbyterians  and 
Covenanters  would  not  baptize  their  children,  unless  they 
would  give  up  their  attachments  to  the  Church  of  England, 

and  take  the  Westminster  Confession  as  their  o-uide  in  mat- 
es 

ters  of  faith  and  Church  fellowship.  This  they  would  not 
consent  to  do.  'Then,'  said  they,  'we  can  not  baptrze 
your  children.'  'What  shall  we  do?  We  have  no  priest. 
There,  indeed,  is  old  parson  M.;  but,  then,  he  is  such  ;m 
intolerable  drunkard,  such  a  wicked  man;  lie  has  no  wife, 
and  that  is  not  the  worst  of  it.'     'I,'   said  my  mother, 


18  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

1  would  rather  trust  to  the  mercy  and  grace  of  God  to  save 
my  children,  without  baptism,  than  to  have  them  baptized 
by  such  an  unworthy  man.' 

"About  the  year  1784  my  father  sold  his  farm  in  Wash- 
ington county,  intending  to  remove  to  Kentucky  with  his 
neighbors  Frazier,  Rankin,  etc.;  but  my  mother  and  her 
connections  being  much  opposed  to  it,  it  was  determined  to 
remove  to  Fayette  county,  which  they  did,  and  settled  near 
Uniontown.  They  had  heard  one  or  two  of  the  Methodist 
preachers,  at  Mr.  Frazier's,  before  leaving  Washington;  but 
after  settling  in  Fayette,  their  opportunities  were  more  fre- 
quent. Peter  Moriarty,  John  Smith,  Wilson  Lee,  Enoch 
Matson,  etc.,  were  the  preachers  of  that  day.  My  pa- 
rents, in  attending  their  ministry,  were  soon  awakened, 
and,  I  believe,  obtained  peace  with  God.  In  this  grace 
my  mother  stood  fast  to  the  end,  and  died  in  peace,  April  1, 
1789.  But,  alas!  my  father  turned  back  again  to  the 
world  and  sin,  from  which  he  was  not  reclaimed  till  late  in 
life,  and  after  two  of  his  sons  were  in  the  ministry,  and 
most  of  his  children  in  the  Church.  Then,  O  amazing 
grace,  the  wanderer  was  reclaimed  and  brought  home; 
scarcely  saved;  'escaped  as  by  the  skin  of  the  teeth.' 
The  most  of  his  associates,  who  helped  to  draw  him  back 
and  lead  him  on,  have  long  since  gone  down  to  the 
drunkard's  grave;  and  0,  eternity!  eternity!  Drunkard, 
stop!  Tippler,  stop,  stop;  for  the  pit  yawns;  damnation 
is  just  before  you.  There  is  little  hope  for  those  who 
break  their  vows  to  God,  the  Church,  their  wives,  and 
society,  and,  for  the  momentary  gratification  of  a  morbid 
appetite,  cast  away  all  that  belongs  to  the  dignity  of  men; 
throw  themselves  sprawling  below  brutes;  and  render 
themselves  as  bad,  perhaps  worse  than  devils.  I  am  sure 
I  have  seen  many  of  them  who  were  fit  for  no  better  com- 
pany; and  yet  some  of  them  have  been  and  still  are  con- 
nected with  decent,  pious,  yet  almost  heart-broken  wives. 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  19 

"See  that  fine,  pleasant,  blooming  countenance;  those 
joy-sparkling  eyes,  with  the  sweet  blending  of  the  rose  and 
lily.  See!  how  the  bloom  is  fading,  the  gloom  gathering, 
the  eye  losing  its  luster!  etc.  Ah!  what  is  the  matter? 
She  sighs;  the  countenance  exhibits  signs  of  confusion;  the 
tear  rolls  down;  she  remains  silent.  We  cease  our  in- 
quiries; for  we  see  the  heart  is  almost  broken.  Has  she 
found  out  that  her  handsome,  smiling,  fair,  yet  false- 
promising  husband,  is  a  secret  tippler?  Yea,  in  some  in- 
stances, a  downright  inebriate?  And  that  all  his  promises, 
pretexts,  and  perfumes,  go  for  nothing  but  to  make  him 
more  obnoxious  in  the  sight  of  heaven,  and  more  ridiculous 
in  the  sight  of  men?  I  have  found  many  such  cases  in  the 
course  of  my  ministry,  and  have  put  them  on  my  list  as 
subjects  of  prayer;  but  as  I  know  that  God  will  not  con- 
vert drunkards  unless  they  cease  from  that  evil,  I  have 
prayed  that  God  would  give  them  to  see  and  feel  the  evil, 
and  then,  if  they  still  refused  to  obey,  that  he  would  take 
them  away.  Why  should  they  live  to  curse  the  world, 
trouble  the  Church,  and  break  the  hearts  of  pious  and  sen- 
sible women,  who  could  and  would  be  a  blessing  at  home 
and  abroad,  if  they  were  not  thus  unequally  yoked?  Some 
may  say  this  savors  of  man,  and  is  akin  to  the  desire  that 
would  pull  up  the  tares  or  command  fire  to  come  down 
from  heaven.  Well,  we  are  willing  that  the  forbearance 
and  long-suffering  of  God  may  be  extended  to  them;  and 
yet  we  know  that  there  have  been  offenders  for  whom  God 
would  not  be  entreated,  though  Moses,  Daniel,  and  Job 
stood  before  him.  There  may  now  be  those  of  whom  God 
may  have  said,  'He  is  joined  to  his  idols — let  him  alone.' 
0,  it  is  heart-sickening.     I  return  to  my  narrative. 

"In  1786  my  parents,  having  joined  the  Church — or 
society,  as  it  was  still  called — and  set  up  family  worship 
and  religious  order  in  their  household,  resolved  to  give  up 
their  children  to  God  in  Christian  baptism,  according  to 


20  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

the  order  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  This  was 
required  of  all  heads  of  families,  who  became  members 
of  the  Church;  nor  could  they  remain  in  fellowship  un- 
less they  complied.  Accordingly,  on  a  set  day  we  were 
taken  to  the  house  where  preaching  was  held.  My  parents 
presented  their  five  children — four  sons  and  one  daugh- 
ter— myself  the  eldest,  for  baptism.  The  elder,  Enoch 
Matson,  first  addressed  the  parents  most  solemnly  and 
affectionately  on  the  great  importance  of  training  up  their 
children  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord;  observ- 
ing that  it  might  be  the  will  of  God  to  call  some  of  these 
sons  to  preach  the  Gospel.  After  he  had  gone  through 
the  service  he  closed  with  extempore  prayer,  in  which  he 
with  great  earnestness  plead  with  God  for  our  early  conver- 
sion, and  that  some  of  us  might  be  called  to  preach. 
From  that  time  I  felt  that  I  belonged  to  God,  and  that  his 
vows  were  upon  me,  and  that  I  was  under  obligations 
'to  renounce  the  devil  and  all  his  works,  the  vain  pomps 
and  vanities  of  the  world,  and  all  the  sinful  lusts  of  the 
flesh.'  But  I  soon  found  that  although  I  had  received  the 
outward  and  visible  sign,  I  was  a  stranger  to  the  'inward 
and  spiritual  grace,'  and  finally  was  led  to  this  conclusion, 
that  the  'sign,'  apart  from  the  'grace,'  is  not  regeneration; 
and  that,  therefore,  I  was  not  '  an  heir  of  Christ,  a  child 
of  God,  and  an  inheritor  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven.'  And 
yet  I  thank  God  for  my  baptism;  for  it  was  a  means  of 
restraint  and  preventing  grace,  till  I  obtained  the  knowl- 
edge of  salvation  by  the  forgiveness  of  sins.  About 
this  time  I  heard  preaching,  for  the  first  time  in  my  life:  I 
was  about  eleven  years  old.  The  sermon  was  preached 
by  Rev.  Peter  Moriarty  from  Heb.  xii,  1.  I  regarded 
the  preacher  as  no  ordinary  man,  and  believing  that  he 
was  God's  messenger,  I  listened  to  every  word  as  coming 
right  from  God." 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  21 


CHAPTER    II. 

A  chasm  in  the  materials  for  his  life — Religious  impressions  and 
sedate  manners — The  first  annual  conference  in  the  west — His  life 
endangered  by  the  bursting  of  a  gun — His  mother's  assurance  that 
tome  of  her  sons  would  be  called  to  preach  the  Gospel — The  great 
loss  he  sustained  in  her  death — Powerful  convictions — Leaves 
home — Is  employed  in  other  families — Is  thoroughly  awakened — 
Proposes  himself,  and  is  received  into  the  Church — His  conversion 
and  call  to  the  ministry — Is  employed  by  Mr.  Crooks,  and  asked 
permission  to  pray  in  the  family — Resided  with  Mr.  Foot,  a  local 
preacher,  and  longer  with  Mr.  Wilson — All  circumstances  favor- 
able to  his  theological  training — Is  licensed  to  preach,  and  recom- 
mended to  the  annual  conference  to  travel — Is  admitted,  and  ap- 
pointed to  Greenfield  circuit — Receives  his  appointment,  and  fixes 
on  the  third  of  June  to  start — Is  greatly  depressed — Is  relieved 
by  a  passage  in  the  morning  lesson — Adopts  it  as  his  motto 
through  life. 

The  reader,  as  well  as  the  writer,  will  deeply  regret 
that  Mr.  Quinn  had  not  continued  his  narrative,  and 
furnished  brief  "sketches"  of  his  own  life  and  labors,  in 
accordance  with  his  well-settled  purpose  when  he  com- 
menced writing  in  1842.  From  the  time  of  his  baptism, 
when  about  eleven  years  old,  up  to  the  period  of  his 
entrance  on  the  work  of  the  ministry,  we  have  very  little 
information  concerning  him.  We  are  assured,  however, 
that  a  good  foundation  was  laid  for  his  religious  training. 
The  instructions  of  his  parents,  especially  those  of  his 
intelligent  and  pious  mother,  made  permanent  impres- 
sions on  his  mind  and  heart,  and  did  not  fail  to  exert 
a  salutary  influence  over  his  conduct.  He  was  a  youth 
of  unusual  sobriety;  and  his  exemplary  deportment  and 
sedate  manners  attracted  the  attention  of  all  his  juvenile 
associates,  as  well  as  the  admiration  of  older  persons. 

The  first  annual  conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  west  of  the  Alleghany  Mountains  was  held  at 
Uniontown,    Penn.,  July   22,    1787.     Young   Quinn   was 


22  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

present,  and  witnessed  the  first  ordination  that  ever 
took  place  in  the  great  western  valley.  Bishop  Asbury 
officiated,  assisted  by  Richard  Whatcoat,  elder.  The  dis- 
tinguished and  worthy  person  ordained  elder  was  Michael 
Lord.  James  was  then  in  his  thirteenth  year;  but  how- 
ever young,  it  appears  the  solemn  and  impressive  services 
of  this  conference  occasion  made  good  and  lasting  impres- 
sions on  his  mind. 

Some  time  during  his  youth,  he  loaded  a  gun  very 
heavily,  to  fire  off  and  make  a  loud  report  on  Christmas 
morning.  The  gun  bursted,  and  inflicted  a  wound  on  his 
forehead,  and  injured  his  hand  very  much.  He  always 
considered  this  a  "hair-breadth  escape"  from  death  by 
the  special  providence,  if  not  the  miraculous  power,  of 
God.  Through  the  fostering  care  of  the  Almighty,  he 
escaped  this  and  other  imminent  dangers  to  which  he 
was  often  exposed  in  life,  that  he  might  live  long  to 
receive  and  do  good  in  the  world. 

On  the  very  day  James  was  fourteen,  April  1,  1789, 
his  faithful  and  devoted  mother  died.  Previous  to  her 
departure,  she  received  an  assurance  that  God  would 
visit  her  family,  and  that  some  of  her  sons  would  be 
called  to  preach  the  Gospel.  This  she  communicated  to 
a  female  friend  with  unwavering  confidence.  She  had 
carefully  taught  her  children,  according  to  their  ca- 
pacity, their  duty  to  God,  their  parents,  to  each  other, 
and  their  own  generation.  She  had  set  a  good  example 
before  them — added  her  most  fervent  prayers  and  earnest 
supplications  for  their  salvation,  usefulness,  and  happi- 
ness; and  she  had  no  doubt  watered  all  her  efforts  to 
raise  her  children  for  God  and  heaven  with  her  tears; 
and  no  marvel  if  God  inspired  her  with  an  assurance, 
that  her  labor  should  not  be  in  vain  in  the  Lord,  but  that 
he  would  grant  her  the  desire  of  her  heart  in  the  salva- 
tion of  all  her  children,  and  that  some  of  her  sons  would 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINX.  23 

be  useful  ministers  of  the  Gospel.  The  value  of  such  a 
mother  is  inestimable.  James,  though  young,  appears,  in 
some  good  degree,  to  have  been  able  to  appreciate  her 
great  worth,  and  he  felt  most  sensibly  the  incalculable 
loss  which  he  sustained  in  her  death. 

The  night  after  the  interment  of  his  good  mother,  he 
was  so  much  concerned  about  the  great  interests  of  his 
soul  that  he  could  neither  rest  nor  sleep.  There  was  a 
godly  sorrow  produced  in  his  heart  by  the  divine  Spirit. 
Indeed,  he  had  all  the  marks  of  a  genuine  penitent;  and 
if  he  had  been  favored  with  as  many  spiritual  helps  as 
the  youths  of  our  country  now  have,  in  most  places,  it  is 
very  probable  he  would  have  soon  found  the  pearl  of 
great  price. 

After  the  death  of  his  mother,  James  continued  to  labor 
on  the  farm;  and  with  much  industry,  diligence,  and  care, 
he  assisted  his  father  in  providing  for  the  other  children. 
Some  time  after  the  second  marriage  of  his  father,  it 
appears  James,  by  mutual  consent,  left  his  home  and 
father's  house,  and  was  employed  in  the  families  of  other 
farmers  in  that  region. 

In  the  year  1792,  under  the  ministry  of  Daniel  Fidler 
and  James  Coleman,  who  traveled  Redstone  circuit  that 
year,  the  youthful  Quinn  became  thoroughly  awakened  to 
a  sense  of  his  wretched  condition  as  a  sinner,  and  the 
indescribable  danger  to  which  he  was  exposed.  He  at- 
tended preaching  statedly  at  Col.  Beck's,  and,  in  his 
diffidence  and  humility,  he  usually  took  his  seat  on  a 
small  chest  which  stood  behind  the  door.  Here  he  eagerly 
availed  himself  of  all  opportunities  of  religious  instruc- 
tion. Here  he  mourned,  and  wept,  and  prayed  for  pardon 
and  salvation,  using  all  the  means  of  grace  within  his 
reach.  He  had  enjoyed  the  third  class  meeting,  and 
knowing  that  he  could  not,  consistently  with  the  rules  of 
the  Church,  remain  in  another,  unless  he  became  a  mem- 


24  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

ber,  he  rose  from  his  seat  behind  the  door,  and,  without 
any  invitation,  presented  himself  to  the  preacher,  James 
Coleman,  saying,  "I  wish  to  join  your  Church,  if  there 
are  no  objections."  Of  course  there  were  no  objections 
offered,  and  he  was  admitted  on  probation  in  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  when  about  seventeen  years 
of  age.  The  pious  members  of  the  class  felt  a  deep 
solicitude  for  his  speedy  conversion.  All  were  ready 
to  aid  him  by  their  sympathy,  counsel,  and  prayers,  in 
seeking  redemption  in  the  blood  of  Christ — the  for- 
giveness of  sins.  And  it  was  but  a  short  time  till  he 
obtained  justification  by  faith,  and  realized  the  washing 
of  regeneration  and  renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Such 
was  the  manifestation  of  mercy  and  grace  in  his  case, 
that  he  was  fully  satisfied  that  God  had  created  him  anew 
in  Christ  Jesus,  and  rejoiced  in  the  direct  witness  of  the 
Spirit.  Under  the  influence  of  this  great  grace,  and  its 
renewed  energies  from  day  to  day,  he  continued  firm  in 
his  Christian  profession,  steady  in  his  conduct,  walking- 
worthy  of  his  high  vocation,  and  adorning  the  doctrines 
of  God  his  Savior.  Few  young  men,  professing  godliness, 
were  ever  more  grave,  exemplary,  and  uniformly  pious 
than  was  James  Quinn;  and  few  ever  shared  more  largely 
of  the  confidence  and  love  of  their  acquaintance  than 
he  did. 

When  about  eighteen  years  of  age,  young  Quinn  was 
employed  by  a  farmer  by  the  name  of  Crooks.  The 
whole  family  were  irreligious,  yet  they  were  all  delighted  to 
hear  him  sing,  and  of  evenings  would  often  request  him 
to  sing  his  Methodist  hymns  and  spiritual  songs.  And 
having  sung  for  the  family  every  evening  for  some  time, 
though  a  diffident  and  retiring  youth,  he  ventured  to  ask 
if  he  might  pray  in  the  family.  Permission  was  cordially 
and  readily  granted,  and  he  took  up  the  cross,  and  prayed 
regularly  in  the  family,  every  evening,  the  whole  time  of 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMBS  QUINN. 

his  sojourn  with  them,  which  was  several  months.  This 
■was,  peifhaps,  the  first  attempt  of  our  young  friend  at 
the  labors  of  a  missionary.  I  have  no  information  of  the 
success  of  his  efforts  to  do  good  to  this  family;  but  have 
no  doubt  but  that  the  stirring  up  of  the  gift  of  God  that 
was  in  him  was  made  a  great  blessing  to  his  own  soul. 
And  when  the  light  of  eternity  shall  shine  upon  the  his- 
tory of  his  residence  with  thai  family,  it  may  develop 
results  of  great  interests  from  the  songs  and  prayers  of 
the  young  servant  of  Christ  in  the  generations  of  that 
household.  One,  at  least,  of  the  descendants  of  the 
Crooks  family  is  known  to  the  writer  as  a  pious  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  is  endeavoring  to 
order  his  household  aright  before  the  Lord. 

Young  Mr.  Quinn  was  usually  solicitous  and  successful 
in  obtaining  situations  in  pious  families.  He  resided  some 
time  with  a  local  preacher  by  the  name  of  John  Foot, 
where  he  labored  on  the  farm.  He  lived  much  longeT 
with  "William  Wilson,  -who  was  also  a  local  preacher  in  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  one  greatly  beloved  and 
useful  in  the  whole  sphere  of  his  labors.  He  remained 
with  Mr.  Wilson  till  he  entered  upon  the  great  work  of 
the  Christian  ministry;  and  it  was  from  his  house  he 
started  to  his  first  circuit  in  the  itinerant  field. 

We  have  ample  grounds  to  infer  that  Mr.  Quinn 's 
associations  were  all  favorable  for  the  development  of 
the  fruits  of  the  Spirit,  the  cultivation  and  ex< 
of  all  the  Christian  graces,  as  well  as  his  intellectual 
improvement  and  theological  training.  The  pursuit  of 
agriculture,  and  his  labors  on  a  farm,  were  favorable  to 
his  physical  education,  and,  no  doubt,  contributed  much 
to  the  firmness  of  his  constitution  and  the  soundness  of 
his  health.  It  was  said  of  John  the  Baptist,  "The  child 
grew  and  waxed  strong  in  spirit,  and  was  in  the  deserts 
till  the  day  of  his  showing  unto  Israel;"   and  there  can 

3 


26  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

be  no  doubt  John's  physical  training  and  manner  of  life 
contributed  much  to  the  qualifications  necessary  for  his 
laborious  and  important  mission.  Equally  necessary  and 
important  was  the  training  generally  received  by  the  self- 
sacrificing  and  laborious  men  of  God,  who  first  preached 
the  Gospel,  as  itinerant  pioneers,  in  the  then  sparsely- 
populated  and  newly-settled  western  country. 

It  was  not  very  long  after  Mr.  Quinn's  union  with  the 
Church  and  his  happy  conversion,  that  his  mind  became 
solemnly  impressed  that  it  was  his  duty  to  proclaim  "the 
unsearchable  riches  of  Christ"  to  a  lost  world,  and  urge 
and  persuade  sinners  to  repent  and  believe  the  Gospel. 
The  love  of  Christ  constrained  him,  and  the  Holy  Ghost 
moved  him  to  this  duty;  yet  he  hesitated  long,  and  seemed 
not  disposed  to  enter  on  so  holy  and  important  a  work, 
till  all  his  acquaintances  in  the  Church  were  fully  con- 
vinced that  he  was  surely  "called  of  God,  as  was  Aaron," 
and  the  authorities  of  the  Church  took  up  his  case,  and 
literally  thrust  him  out  into  the  work.  The  quarterly 
conference  of  his  circuit,  in  view  of  his  grace,  gifts,  and 
usefulness,  judged  him  to  be  a  proper  person  to  receive 
license  as  a  local  preacher,  and,  therefore,  authorized  him 
to  preach  the  Gospel.  He  was  duly  recommended  to  the 
Baltimore  conference,  held  in  Baltimore,  May  1,  1799,  as 
a  suitable  person  to  be  admitted  into  the  itinerant  ministry 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  did  not  attend 
the  conference  himself,  but  awaited  at  home  the  decision 
of  that  body  in  his  case. 

In  those  days  there  were  but  few  mail  facilities,  and  the 
means  of  receiving  intelligence  from  the  east  to  the  west 
far  between,  and  exceedingly  slow  at  that.  It  was  nat- 
ural for  him  to  feel  some  stretch  of  anxiety  in  regard  to 
his  case,  and  a  desire  to  know  the  result  by  some  com- 
munication from  conference.  On  the  first  day  of  June, 
just  a  month  after  the  beginning  of  the  conference,  he 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  Ql  I  N  N .  27 

had  the  pleasure  of  meeting  Rev.  Thomas  Wayn^ond  at  the 

house  of  the  venerable  John  Spahr,  who,  on  his  way  from 
conference,  was  seeking  his  field  of  labor  for  the  year — 
Ohio  circuit.  He  reported  to  Mr.  Quinn  that  he  was 
admitted  into  the  traveling  connection  and  appointed  to 
Greenfield  circuit.  And  as  Mr.  Waymond  had  been  trav- 
eling and  preaching  eight  years,  he  had  an  experience  that 
enabled  him  to  be  eminently  useful  to  his  young  friend, 
who  was  now  in  a  state  of  mind  to  receive  with  eagerness 
every  ray  of  light  that  would  reflect  upon  that  untried 
field  into  which  he  was  about  to  enter;  and  it  appears  he 
greatly  profited  by  the  conversation  and  prayers  of  this 
man  of  God,  who  was  then  just  on  the  brink  of  Jordan; 
for  in  twelve  days  alter  this  interview  Thomas  Waymond 
took  his  exit  from  earth  to  heaven. 

Mr.  Quinn  returned  to  his  residence  at  Rev.  William 
Wilson's,  and  lixed  on  the  third  of  June  for  his  departure 
to  his  first  circuit.  The  morning  of  that  day  dawned 
upon  him,  but  brought  with  it  an  hour  of  gloom  and  dis- 
fcp  ss  to  his  mind.  He  well-nigh  wavered  in  the  purpose 
he  had  formed  to  yield  to  the  call  of  God  and  his  Church, 
and  endeavor  to  do  the  work  of  a  preacher  of  the  Gospel. 
He  trembled  at  the  fearful  responsibilities  he  was  about  to 
assume  in  the  great  work  of  the  Christian  ministry.  And 
such  was  the  estimate  he  formed  of  his  own  qualiiications, 
that  he  was  sorely  tempted  to  believe  that  he  would  accom- 
plish no  good,  and  even  do  injury,  to  the  sacred  cause  of 
Christ.  In  this  state  of  mind  Mr.  Wilson  asked  him  to 
officiate  at  their  morning  prayer,  and  lead  the  devotions  of 
the  family.  With  trembling  he  approached  the  stand,  and 
took  up  the  holy  book  with  a  heavy  heart.  He  opened 
the  Bible  at  the  seventy-first  Psalm,  and  read  on  till  he 
came  to  the  sixteenth  verse,  which  reads,  "I  will  go  in 
the  strength  of  the  Lord  God:  1  will  make  mention  of  thy 
righteousness,   even   of   thine    only."     In   a  moment  the 


28  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

cloud  of  darkness  was  dispelled,  his  soul  was  disburdened 
of  its  load,  and  he  was  made  light  in  the  Lord.  He  then 
saw  the  great  source  of  his  strength,  and,  with  the  help  of 
the  great  Jehovah,  he  might  do  valiantly.  His  way  was 
made  plain  before  him,  and  he  clearly  saw  the  true  method 
by  which  he,  weak  as  he  supposed  himself  to  be,  might 
accomplish  the  great  work  to  which  he  was  called.  This 
text  was  made  such  a  blessing  to  his  soul,  that  he  adopted 
and  used  it  as  his  constant  motto  through  life.  Whenever 
he  received  his  appointment  at  an  annual  conference,  he 
would  immediately  recur  to  those  precious  words,  and,  in 
the  form  of  this  text,  enter  into  covenant  with  God,  and 
with  renewed  energy  and  zeal  prosecute  his  holy  calling. 
When  regularly  engaged  in  the  itinerant  work,  lie  was  in 
the  habit  of  improving  the  third  of  June  of  every  year,  as 
a  sort  of  anniversary,  by  preaching  on  his  favorite  motto. 
Greenfield  circuit  appears  first  on  the  minutes  in  1796, 
and  embraced  parts  of  Greene,  Washington,  and  Fayette 
counties,  in  western  Pennsylvania.  We  infer  at  the  end  of 
this  year  this  circuit  was  distributed  among  other  circuits, 
or  was  known  by  some  other  name,  as  it  appears  no  more 
on  the  minutes  till  1804,  when  the  name  was  revived. 
Edmund  Waymond  had  charge  of  the  circuit,  and  Daniel 
Hitt  was  the  presiding  elder.  The  death  of  Thomas 
Waymond  occasioned  a  vacancy  on  Ohio  circuit  in  the 
beginning  of  the  year,  which  might  have  made  it  necessary 
to  change  several  preachers  in  the  district.  Mr.  Quinn 
was  changed  twice  by  the  presiding  elder,  and  labored  on 
three  circuits  during  the  first  year  of  his  itinerancy,  but 
served  the  most  of  the  year  on  old  Redstone  circuit,  as 
helper  to  James  Paynter. 


LIFE  AM)   LABOtea  OF  JAMES  ^IINN. 


CHAPTER  III. 

Appointed  to  the  Pittsburg  circuit — Western  Metl^pdist  pio- 
neers— State  of  society — Oilier  denominations — The  efficiency  of 
Methodism — Roberl  Worster — State  of  the  Church  people,  and 
readiness  to  receive  Methodism — The  firsl  society  formed  near 
TJniontown,  Penn. — Swedenborg's  works,  with  a  dream  and  its 
interpretation — Dodridge  and  Teeter  families — Indian  depreda- 
tions— The  Roberts  family — Moriarty,  Fidler,  and  TV.  Lee — Tlie 
Meek  family — Stoneman  and  Spain- — Major  M'Cullock  and  others 
in  the  vicinity  of  "Wheeling — Phoebus,  "Wilson,  and  Phelps  ap- 
pointed to  Redstom — The  circuit  enlarged — C.  Waymond  and 
family — The  improvement  of  Asa  Shinn  under  the  theological 
training  of  Methodism — No  place  for  loungers  in  the  itinerancy — 
The  Ellsworth  family — Joseph  Chieuvrant — The  Hacker  family — 
TV.  Strange  got  lost  and  perished  in  the  woods — John  Strange  sent 
forth — Barren  regions,  with  fierce  opposition — TJniversalism — 
Conference  at  TJniontown — Emigration  to  the  west — Great  loss  sus- 
tained— Talbot,  Stewart,  and  "Wakefield — Debate  between  Cook 
and  Jamison — Coiinellsville  and  the  Connell  family. 

In  1 800  he  was  appointed  to  the  Pittsburg  circuit,  asso- 
ciated with  Nathaniel  B.  Mills. 

Mr.  Quinn,  in  his  contributions  to  the  Western  Historical 
Society  in  1839,  has  given  a  description  of  his  fields  of 
labor  the  first  few  years  of  his  itinerant  life,  and  a  history 
of  the  rise  and  progress  of  Methodism  in  the  head  of  this 
great  valley,  and  many  incidents,  which  I  gladly  avail 
myself  of  in  this  place: 

''By  a  reference  to  the  book  of  bound  Minutes,  it  ap- 
pears that  Jeremiah  Lambert  was  the  first  Methodist 
preacher  that  ever  was  appointed  to  the  western  waters. 
He  stands  for  Holston,  1783,  Henry  Willis  for  1784, 
Richard  Swift  for  1785.  Lambert  I  never  knew;  but  with 
Willis  and  Swift  I  was  pretty  well  acquainted,  especially 
the  latter.  They  were  regarded  as  men  of  deep  piety, 
and  more  than  ordinary  preaching  talents.  They  were 
both    men  of  line  personal    appearance,  say  six   feet   in 

3* 


30  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

stature,  rather  slender,  good  English  scholars,  well-read; 
and  therefore  men  of  useful  science,  if  not  classically  edu- 
cated. They  were  among  the  first  elders  of  the  Church, 
and  the  young  men  esteemed  it  a  privilege  to  learn  of 
them;  and  many  a  useful  lesson  has  the  writer  of  this 
humble  narrative  taken  from  them. 

"Dean,  as  we  used  to  call  him,  in  1802 — which  was  the 
fourth  year  of  my  itinerancy — in  appearance  and  address 
in  the  pulpit,  was  little — if  any — inferior  to  that  of  our 
dear  M'Kendree;  and  his  conversation  in  private  and  the 
social  circle  was  charmingly  edifying.  His  health  failed 
in  the  prime  of  life.  He  located,  married,  and  settled  in 
Berkley  county,  near  Shepherdstown,  Va.,  where  he  lin- 
gered a  few  years:  then  died  in  great  peace. 

"Willis  was  an  eloquent  man,  mighty  in  the  Scriptures, 
and  a  most  profound  and  powerful  reasoner.  He  also  be- 
came feeble  in  the  prime  of  life,  retired  from  the  itinerant 
field,  married,  and  settled  on  a  farm  near  Frederick  county, 
Md.  The  Baltimore  conference  sat  in  his  parlor  in  April, 
1801.  In  this  neighborhood  Robert  Strawbridge  raised 
his  first  society.  At  this  conference  William  Watters 
re-entered  the  work — having  been  local  for  some  years — 
and  was  ordained  elder.  Willis  lingered  on  a  few  more 
years  in  pain,  then  fell  asleep,  and  was  gathered  to  his 
fathers. 

"In  1784,  John  Cooper  and  Solomon  Breeze  stand  for 
Redstone;  in  1785,  Peter  Moriarty,  J.  Fidler,  Wilson  Lee; 
for  1786,  John  Smith,  Robert  Ayres — Enoch  Matson, 
elder. 

"I  was  born  and  raised  in  western  Pennsylvania,  and 
traveled  over  all  the  country  called  Redstone,  extending 
back  from  the  foot  of  Laurel  Hill  to  Wheeling  on  the 
Ohio,  thence  up  the  Ohio  to  Pittsburg,  and  thence  up  the 
Monongahela  and  Youghiogheny  almost  to  their  sources, 
during  the  first  three  years  of  my  itinerancy,  commencing 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QTINN.  31 

fifteen  years  after  the  first  missionaries  entered  the  field, 
and  while  some  were  still  remaining  to  testify  of  the  grace 

that  had  been  made  known  to  them  through  the  instru- 
mentality of  the  nan  whom  they  believed  God  had  sent 

to  them. 

"Redstone  was  the  name  given  by  those  living  on  the 
of  the  mountains  to  all  the  country  settled  by  the 
whites  (.n  the  west  of  the  mountains;  though  among  the 
settlers  themselves  it  was  the  name  of  an  inconsiderable 
creek;  but  on  it  were  the  first  settlements  made.  Union- 
town.  Fayette  county,  is  near  its  head,  and  Brownsville 
near  its  mouth.  The  country  itself,  into  "which  our  mis- 
sionaries entered,  and  which  they  occupied  under  the 
name  of  Redstone,  was  of  considerable  extent,  embracing 
parts  of  the  states  of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia,  and  may 
be  called  the  head  of  the  great  and  fat  valley.  At  that 
time  Pennsylvania  had  four  organized  counties  west  of  the 
mountains:  Westmoreland,  Fayette,  Alleghany,  and  Wash- 
ington; and  Virginia  had  two,  perhaps  three:  Mononga- 
hela,  Harrison,  and  Ohio.  I  have  no  data  from  which  to 
give  the  number  of  inhabitants;  but  new  and  frontier  as 
was  the  country,  and  still  subject  to  savage  depredations,  it 
Avas  not  a  moral  waste;  for  there  were  laws,  courts,  judges, 
and  magistrates.  And  in  those  days  they  whipped, 
cropped,  branded,  and  hung  men  for  stealing;  and  lined 
and  imprisoned  for  swearing,  Sabbath-breaking,  etc.  And 
as  they  were  not  without  law,  so  neither  were  they  without 
Gospel.  The  Methodist  preachers  were  here  the  very  first 
year  of  their  Church  organization;  but  the  Presbyterians, 
Seceders,  Covenanters,  and  Baptists  were  here  before 
them. 

"In  Fayette  there  were  two  or  three  organized  congre- 
gations of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  under  the  pastoral  care 
of  Rev.  Mr.  Dunlap.  He  was  said  to  have  been  a  devoted 
man   and  good   preacher.     He,  perhaps,  was  the  first  in 


32  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

western  Pennsylvania  who  brought  in  the  psalms  and 
hymns  of  Watts,  which  divided  the  congregation,  and  put 
up  another  synagogue  in  Westmoreland.  There  were 
three  or  four  churches  of  the  same  order,  under  the  care 
of  Rev.  Messrs.  Finley  and  Powers.  These  were  said  to 
be  very  orderly  men,  and  searching  preachers.  Of  Alle- 
ghany I  can  say  nothing  with  certainty.  In  Washington 
county  Rev.  John  M'Millin  and  Rev.  Joseph  Smith  had 
care  of  several  congregations.  I  heard  both  these  men 
preach  since  I  became  a  man,  and  verily  they  used  not 
nattering  words,  nor  did  they  daub  with  untempered  mor- 
tar, or  speak  peace  when  God  had  not  spoken  peace. 

"The  Seceders  and  Covenanters  also  had  some  three  or 
four  ministers  and  congregations  in  all,  in  most  of  the 
counties  of  Pennsylvania. 

"The  regular  Baptists  had  a  number  of  churches  in 
Washington  and  Fayette  counties,  and  in  all  the  counties 
of  western  Virginia.  There  were  three  brothers  by  the 
name  of  Sutton,  and  two  by  the  name  of  Loffboro,  and 
old  father  John  Corbly,  all  Baptist  ministers — all  stiff 
Calvinists,  close-communion  men,  and  strongly  opposed  to 
the  Methodists,  as  were  the  Presbyterians.  But  some  of 
their  descendants  of  the  third  and  fourth  generations  are 
now  warm-hearted  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

"But  the  children  of  old  mother  Church — not  of  Rome, 
but  of  England — where  were  they?  and  what  of  them? 
Why,  they  were  scattered  throughout  the  land  in  all  the 
length  and  breadth  of  it;  and,  like  those  of  old  who  had 
hung  their  harps  on  the  willows,  some  of  them,  at  least, 
wept  while  they  thought  of  Zion.  Dear  souls,  they  were 
left  to  perish  for  lack  of  knowledge;  they  had  no  kind 
shepherd  near  to  guide  the  sick,  the  spiritless,  and  faint. 
The  Presbyterians  would  not  give  them  the  sacrament,  or 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  33 

baptize  their  children,  unless  they  would  subscribe  to  the 
Westminster  Confes  ion,  and  promise  to  bring  up  their 
children  in  that  faith;  the  Baptists  would  nol  permil  them 
to  commune,  except  they  would  renounce  their  baptism 
and  become  immersed;  and  they  concluded  that  they 
could  not  enjoy  Church  privileges  at  so  high  a  price.  O, 
■what  a  iield  was  laic  tm-  a  missionary  bishop!  Strange! 
v<  ry  strange!  that  the  third  year  of  the  nineteenth  century 
should  have  passed  away,  before  the  mother  should  have 
happened  to  think  of  providing  for  her  starving  children 
in  the  right  way:  so,  that  has  been  done  last  which  should 
have  been  done  first. 

"But  old,  clear-sighted  John  Wesley  saw  what  was  to 
be  done,  and  how  it  was  to  be  done.  So,  leaving  mother 
and  grandmother  to  scold  away  about  order  and  succes- 
sion, he  pronounced  the  whole  a  dream,  and  made  haste, 
according  to  New  Testament  order,  'to  provide' — to  use 
his  own  words — 'for  those  poor  sheep  in  the  wilderness.' 
And  so  it  came  to  pass,  that  while  the  mother  was  busied 
here  and  there,  trying  to  get  ready,  his  plan  had  well-nigh 
tinned  the  world  upside  down. 

"The  itinerant  heralds  were  running,  yea,  almost  flying, 
in  every  direction,  with  an  efficient,  itinerant  general  super- 
intendency,  directing  the  energies  of  the  whole.  Ah!  if 
mother  had  set  Bishop  White  side  by  side  with  the  emi- 
grant Asbury,  full  of  faith  and  holy  fervor,  instead  of 
making  him  diocesan  in  the  city  of  brotherly  love,  then 
might  the  missionary  bishops  have  shared  the  toils  of  the 
morning,  and  divided  the  spoils  in  the  evening.  Well, 
mother  Rachel,  do  not  weep  for  thy  children  as  if  they 
were  not.  I,  one  of  thy  sons  of  the  second  generation, 
have  a  word  of  comfort  for  thee.  Many,  very  many  of 
them,  have  been  housed  and  homed  in  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  thence  transferred  to  the  house  not 


34  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

made  with  hands,  where  there  are  no  Churchmen,  Presby- 
terians, Baptists,  or  Methodists,  and  no  contention  about 
order  or  succession. 

"  But  it  is  now  time  to  return  to  our  Methodist  preachers, 
Cooper  and  Breeze.  They  made  their  entrance  at  Union- 
town,  in  the  immediate  neighborhood  of  which  were  many 
Church  people,  and  a  few  Methodists.  But  they  had  been 
preceded  by  Robert  Worster,  a  local  preacher  of  piety  and 
considerable  talent.  He  had  preached  in  many  places, 
both  in  Fayette  and  Washington  counties.  Souls  had 
been  awakened  and  converted  to  God  by  his  preaching; 
but  I  am  not  sure  that  he  formed  any  societies.  He  came 
to  one  of  my  appointments  in  1799,  and  preached  for  me 
a  pure  and  powerful  Gospel  sermon.  At  that  time  his 
head  and  his  hair  were  as  white  as  wool.  I  felt  it  a  privi- 
lege to  hear,  perhaps,  the  first  Methodist  preacher  whose 
voice  was  ever  heard  this  side  of  the  Alleghany  Moun- 
tains. No  doubt  he  is  safe  at  home  in  paradise.  He  was 
an  Englishman;  came  to  America  about  the  time  that  Mr. 
Asbury  did.  He  was  then  a  local  preacher.  He  left  the 
Redstone  country  early  in  the  present  century,  settled  in 
Bracken  county,  Ky.,  and  removed  from  thence  to  Indiana, 
on  White  Water,  near  Connersville,  and  died  shouting; 
but  in  what  year  my  informant  could  not  say  with  cer- 
tainty. It  is  remarkable  that  our  local  preachers  are  very 
often  the  pioneers  of  Methodism,  in  forming  new  circuits 
in  the  west.  Cooper  and  Breeze  of  course  had  no  plan 
of  ministerial  labor  to  direct  them;  they  might  have  re- 
ceived some  assistance  from  Worster,  but  the  country  was 
before  them.  They  therefore  went  to  and  fro,  up  and 
down,  watching  and  following  the  leadings  and  openings 
of  Providence;  and  wherever  they  found  an  open  door, 
there  they  entered.  But  as  I  went  over  all  the  ground 
fifteen  years  after  they  left  it,  while  their  footsteps  remained 
to  be  seen,  and  their  evangelical  marks  found  in  living 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUIXN.  35 

epistles  all  through  the  country,  I  shall  follow  them  in  a 
Bomewhal  regular  plan,  commencing  at  Uniontown.  Here 
were  the  .leanings,  the  Henthorns,  the Kindalls,  the  Mur- 

phys,  etc.,  all  Church  people,  most  of  them  strangers  to 
experimental  religion,  and  some  of  them  very  loose  in 
their  morals;  yet  it  is  true  there  weir  among  them  some 
who  were  hungry  for  the  bread  of  life,  and  thirsty  for  tin; 
waters  of  salvation.  And  such  was  the  state  of  the  Church 
people,  generally,  in  the  western  country  at  that  time. 
These  wire  among  the  first  to  receive  the  word  with 
readiness  of  mind.  Here  was  the  prayer-book  abridged, 
containing  the  same  articles  of  religion,  and  the  sacra- 
ments, with  the  same  forms  of  administration,  which  they 
had  been  accustomed  to  hold  sacred.  If  they  had  any 
misgivings  on  the  subject  of  order  in  regular  succession 
from  St.  Peter  or  St.  Paul,  they  soon  gave  it  up,  and  con- 
cluded, with  Mr.  Wesley,  to  call  'it  a  fancy  or  a  dream:' 
and  so  found — as  they  believed — an  evangelical  home  in 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Here  scores,  yea  hun- 
dreds of  them,  have  lived  holy,  and  died  happy. 

"The  first  society  was  raised  in  the  vicinity  of  Union- 
town,  but  at  whose  house  I  am  not  certain.  Most  proba- 
bly it  was  David  Jennings'  or  widow  Murphy's;  and  D. 
Jennings,  old  James  Kindall,  widow  Henthorn,  widow 
Murphy,  with  their  numerous  households,  at  an  early 
period,  became  subjects  of  converting  grace,  and  mem- 
bers of  the  Church.  I  knew  the  fathers  and  mothers, 
and  now  have  an  acquaintance  with  the  children  to  the 
third  and  fourth  generations.  They  are  still  at  home  in 
tin-  Methodist  Episcopal  Chureh — still  endeavoring  to  fol- 
low on  in  the  footsteps  of  those  who  have  gone  before.  I 
next  found  their  footsteps  on  Youghiogheny  near  the  J 5 road 
Ford.  Here  Thomas  Moore,  from  the  eastern  shore  of 
Maryland,  lived  on  one  side  of  the  road,  and  Joshua  Dick- 
erson,  from  Cecil  county,  Md.,  on  the  other  side.     Both 


36  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

opened  their  doors  to  receive  the  messengers  of  peace,  and 
their  hearts  were  opened  to  receive  the  grace  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  These  were  both  Churchmen.  Moore,  I 
think,  had  attached  himself  to  the  Presbyterian  Church  for 
the  sake  of  privileges;  but,  being  called  to  account  for  his 
Methodistic  sentiments,  he  dissolved  his  connection  with 
that  Church,  and  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
of  which  he  remained  a  member  till  he  removed  to  Ken- 
tucky, about  the  close  of  the  last  century. 

"J.  Dickerson  had  a  numerous  family  of  children,  who 
mostly  embraced  religion  when  they  were  young,  and  be- 
came members,  with  their  parents,  of  the  same  Church. 
The  old  patriarch  fell  a  few  years  since,  leaving  a  posterity 
of  near  two  hundred,  many  of  whom,  to  the  fourth  gen- 
eration, are  living  members  of  the  same  Church  in  which 
their  pious  predecessors  died. 

•'I  now  follow  our  pioneers  down  the  river  Youghio- 
gheny,  and  find  their  evangelical  marks  in  the  forks  of 
Youghiogheny,  Westmoreland  county.  Here  Benjamin 
Fell  opened  his  door,  and  the  Lord  opened  his  heart. 
This  man  was  of  Quaker  origin,  raised  near  the  City  of 
Brotherly  Love,  and  was  a  member  of  the  first  Congress 
that  sat  in  the  United  States — a  delegate,  I  think,  from 
Bucks  or  Berks  county.  I  used  to  love  to  listen  to  his 
conversations  by  the  hour,  of  the  then  gone-by  days,  and 
congressional  movements,  etc.  Well,  this  man,  his  wife, 
and  some  eight  or  ten  sons  and  daughters,  together  with 
the  widow  Beazel  and  her  numerous  family  of  sons  and 
daughters,  soon  became  subjects  of  grace  and  members 
of  the  Church. 

"  A  large  society  was  raised,  which  was  greatly  strength- 
ened by  the  addition  of  Edward  Teal,  an  old  Methodist 
class-leader,  from  the  vicinity  of  Baltimore.  This  man — 
originally  a  Churchman — was  converted  and  Methodized 
under  the  ministry  of  Asbury  before  the  Revolution.     Of 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUIMST.  37 

the  descendants  of  the  Fells,  Beazels,  and  Teals,  I  think 
there  arc  some   hundreds   now   living,   members  of  the 

Church.  The  old  people,  and  many  of  the  second  and 
third  generations,  already  sleep  in  Jesus,  among  whom  is 
the  wife  of  my  youth.     Here  she  was  horn  in  Zion,  under 

the  ministry  of  Valentine  Cook,  in  179(3,  and  fell  asleep  in 
Jesus  in  the  town  of  Chilicothe,  January  1,  1823.  She 
was  a  woman  of  an  excellent  spirit,  and  truly  pious.  She 
left  her  father's  house,  and  accompanied  me  in  all  the  toils 
and  privations  of  an  itinerant  life  in  a  new  country,  pa- 
tiently and  submissively,  Avithout  a  murmur  or  complaint, 
nineteen  years  and  eight  months.  Precious  saint,  well 
might  the  heart  of  thy  husband  safely  trust  in  thee,  and  thy 
children  rise  up  and  call  thee  blessed!  May  they  possess 
and  cherish  her  graces  as  she  did  those  of  her  mother! 

"Old  Edward  and  Sarah  Teal  died  in  peace,  the  one  at 
seventy-five,  the  other  at  eighty-five  years  of  age.  Their 
spirits  are  at  home  in  paradise,  and  their  flesh  resteth  in 
hope. 

•  Next  we  iind  our  missionaries  passing  from  the  forks 
of  the  Youghiogheny  over  the  Monongahela  •  river  into 
Washington  county,  and,  directing  their  course  up  the 
river,  they  raised  the  standard  on  Pike  run.  Here  they 
are  received  by  William  and  Jeremiah  Biggs,  and  William 
How.  These  were  all  zealous  Churchmen,  but  they  were 
hungry  and  thirsty  for  the  bread  and  water  of  life,  and 
joyfully  received  both  through  the  instrumentality  of 
Methodist  preachers.  William  Riggs  became  a  local 
preacher,  and  his  brother  Jeremiah,  leader.  In  this  place 
old  Robert  Worster  had  labored  with  success.  In  1799 
I  found  a  large  class  of  devoted  Christians  here,  who  met 
at  the  house  of  old  father  How.  The  fathers  and  mothers 
here,  too,  are  all  gone.  Bui  I  have  seen  and  heard  of 
their  descendants,  who  still  stand  in  the  ranks  of  Meth- 
odism, still  pressing  forward  in  their  happy  toil. 

4 


38  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

"Our  missionaries  find  an  open  door  some  five  or  six 
miles  from  Brownsville,  on  the  road  to  Washington.  Here 
William  and  Thomas  Hockins,  and  Joseph  Woodfield,  be- 
came the  happy  subjects  of  regenerating  grace.  All 
became  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
all  local  preachers.  These,  too,  had  been  raised  Church- 
men, but,  upon  examining  Methodism,  they  came  to  the 
conclusion  that  Christianity,  in  that  evangelical  and  simple 
form,  was  good  enough  for  them  and  theirs;  so  they  cor- 
dially embraced  it.  These  men  have  all  passed  away,  and 
of  their  posterity  I  know  nothing  with  certainty.  But  in 
1799  some  of  them  were  there,  and  a  good  society,  with 
whom  I  had  many  refreshing  seasons. 

"As  you  pass  on  the  National  Road  eastward,  say  five 
miles  west  of  Brownsville,  on  the  left  hand,  you  see  a  neat 
stone  chapel,  called  Taylor's;  that  stands  on  the  spot 
where  stood  the  little  log  hut  that,  some  forty -five  or  fifty 
years  ago,  was  called  Hockins'  meeting-house,  and  the  sec- 
ond, if  not  the  first,  Methodist  meeting-house  that  ever  v  as 
reared  in  the  great  valley.  In  this  vicinity  Swedenborg's 
works  made,  as  I  believe,  their  first  appearance  in  the  west, 
say  forty-five  years  ago.  They  were  circulated  by  a  vision- 
ary old  gentleman,  and  read  by  some.  His  notions  were 
embraced  by  a  few,  who  appeared  much  elated  with  the 
expectation  that  the  Lord's  new  Church  was  soon  to  be 
set  up  and  prevail  over  all.  But  the  New  Jerusalem  has 
not  descended  from  God  out  of  heaven  as  yet.  One  of 
those  who  had  become  illuminated  with  the  science  of 
correspondences,  began  to  see  visions  and  dream  dreams, 
one  of  which  he  could  not  comprehend,  so  he  told  it 
to  Joseph  Woodfield.  Said  he,  'I  stumbled  and  fell, 
and  my  head  broke  from  my  body  and  tumbled  down  a 
declivity;  I  hastened  after  it,  caught  it  up,  and  clapped  it 
on;  but  unfortunately,  in  my  haste,  set  it  wrong  side 
foremost,  and  could  not  get  it  turned  the  right  way,  as  it 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUI XX.  39 

instantly  grew  fast.'  Joseph  looked  wise,  and  said,  'My 
friend,  yours  is  a  serious  case,  perhaps  more  so  than  that 
of  the  poor  person  who  thought  his  head  had  become  so 
enlarged,  that  he  could  not  get  into  the  church  door  with- 
out having  it  compressed.  Your  head  lias  got  wrong  side 
foremost,  sure  enough,  else  how  could  you  gulp  down  the 
fantastic  dreams  and  imaginary  visions  of  Swedenborg.' 
Tins.'  works  I  read  in  1799,  and  in  the  course  of  forty 
-  have  observed,  that  most  of  those  who  embrace  the 
notions  of  the  Baron  are  either,.  1.  Those  who  have  lost 
the  enjoyments  of  religion;  or,  2.  Those  who  are  of  a  fan- 
ciful or  visionary  turn  of  mind;  or,  3.  Those  who  are 
strongly  disposed  to  skepticism. 

"But  it  is  time  to  look  west;  and,  following  the  track 
left  by  our  missionaries  in  the  immediate  neighborhood  of 
Washington,  an  open  door  was  set  before  them  by  F. 
Lackey.  This  man  with  his  house,  and  old  father  Abra- 
ham Johnson  and  his  house,  became  obedient  to  the  faith. 
A  good  society  was  raised  here,  of  which,  if  I  am  not 
mistaken,  Mr.  John  Jones,  father  of  our  Greenbury  R.  Jones, 
was  an  early  member.  From  this  society,  also,  Methodism 
found  its  way  into  Washington,  through  the  instrumen- 
tality of  Mrs.  Hazlet,  who  used  to  go  to  that  class  before 
there  was  one  in  town.  She  invited  the  preachers  to  town 
and  entertained  them  kindly.  Her  husband  was  a  very 
gentlemanly  man,  but  at  that  time  not  decidedly  religious. 
Mrs.  Hazlet  yet  remains,  but  fathers  Lackey  and  Johnson 
are  long  since  at  rest.  Of  their  posterity  I  can  give  no 
satisfactory  account. 

"Next,  George  Frazier,  an  old  eastern-shore  man,  near 
Cannonsburg,  opened  his  door,  and  the  word  was  preached; 
but  I  think  no  society  raised.  My  father  and  mother 
heard  them  at  this  place — for  here  I  was  born — and 
thought  well  of  them;  and  after  tiny  came  home.  Church 
people  as  they  were,  talked  of  having  their  children  bap- 


40  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

tized  by  them.  Old  Mr.  Frazier  shortly  after  that  moved 
to  Kentucky,  and  was  the  progenitor  of  the  Fraziers,  near 
Cynthiana;  and  my  father  moved  to  Fayette  county,  near 
Uniontown,  where  both  my  parents  became  members  of 
the  Church,  and  had  their  children  baptized.  My  mother 
died  in  the  faith  fifty  years  ago,  believing,  as  I  afterward 
learned  by  an  aunt  of  ours,  that  God  would  visit  her 
family  after  her  death,  and  that  some  of  her  sons  would 
be  called  to  preach  the  Gospel. 

"My  father  wandered  from  the  fold,  and  from  the 
Lord,  but  late  in  life  returned,  and  had  hope  in  his  death. 
To  God  be  all  the  glory!  Still  in  Washington,  we  next 
find  our  missionaries  on  the  waters  of  Cross  creek  and 
Buffalo,  kindly  received  by  John  and  Philip  Dodridge, 
and  their  old  brother-in-law,  Samuel  Teeter.  These  all, 
with  the  greater  part  of  their  numerous  families,  fell  into 
the  ranks  of  Methodism;  and  Joseph,  son  of  John  Dod- 
ridge, became  a  traveling  preacher — and  the  first  in  the 
great  valley — of  considerable  promise  and  success.  But 
after  mother  got  ready,  he  went  and  took  orders,  got  a 
black  gown,  and  white  band,  and  came  out  parson.  I 
have  heard  both  Joseph  and  Dr.  Joseph  Dodridge  preach, 
and,  according  to  my  recollection  and  judgment,  I  think 
Joseph  could  preach  as  well  as  the  Doctor,  if  not  a  little 
better.  The  difference  Avas  this:  Joseph  preached,  and 
the  Doctor  read. 

"On  the  land  of  John  Dodridge  was  built  a  little  loor 
meeting-house,  which  Dr.  Joseph  Dodridge  insisted — the 
last  conversation  I  had  with  him — was  the  first  on  this 
side  of  the  Mountains.  The  original  society  here  has 
had  the  place  of  its  meeting  transferred  to  Middletown, 
as  I  am  informed,  midway  from  Wellsburg  or  Steubenville 
to  Washington;  hence,  going  east  on  that  road,  a  short 
distance  before  you  reach  Middletown,  you  leave  on  your 
right  hand,  within  one  mile,  Dodridge's  meeting-house, 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  41 

and  the  Bleeping  dust  of  many  of  the  first  members  of 
the  Methodist  Church  in  the  head  of  the  greal  valley. 

"Before  I  leave  this  section,  I  must  be  permitted  to  say 
that  the  Dodridge  and  Teeter  families,  and  the  society  in 
their  neighborhood — and  1  knew  them  well  more  than 
forty  years  ago — were  a  noble,  free-hearted  set  of  Chris- 
tian people,  who  loved  one  another,  and  served  God  with 
humility  of  mind.  We  still  have  scores,  yea,  hundreds 
of  their  descendants  within  the  pale  of  Methodism. 

"I  am  not  sure  that  Cooper  and  Breeze  ever  got  out  any 
further  toward  the  Ohio  river;  but  if  they  did,  it  does  not 
appear  to  my  recollection,  or  according  to  my  information, 
that  they  made  any  permanent  stand.  In  those  days 
there  were  perilous  times;  Indian  depredations  were  quite 
common. 

"  Next  I  find  these  devoted  and  indefatigable  servants  of 
Christ,  raising  the  flag  of  Gospel  liberty  on  Muddy  creek, 
where  they  were  received  by  William  Shepherd,  George 
Kewland,  and  others — children  of  the  Church — where  a 
society  was  raised,  and  a  meeting-house  built,  called 
Shepherd's  meeting-house.  It  was  a  small,  log  building. 
Methodism  still  lives  in  that  place,  although  those  who 
first  were  brought  under  its  influence,  having  served  their 
generation,  by  the  will  of  God,  have  fallen  asleep.  Thence 
I  follow  them  up  the  Monongahela  to  Whitby  and  Dunk- 
ard  Creeks,  where  they  met  with  a  kind  reception  by 
David  and  George  Boydston,  the  Longs,  and  others. 
Here  I  found  a  good  society  in  1799,  and  I  am  told  that 
God  still  has  a  people  in  that  place.  They  also  raised 
a  society  on  Crooked  Creek,  eight  or  ten  miles  from  Mor- 
gantown,  Va.;  here  Amos  Smith,  Thomas  Luzel,  George 
Smith,  and  the  Fraziers,  were  among  the  first  fruits. 
These  honored  their  profession,  and  it  is  believed  died 
in  the  faith,  and  some  of  them  in  holy  triumph. 

"In  Morgantown  they  had  not  much  fruit  of  their 
4* 


42  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

labor;  but  in  1799  I  found  a  meeting-house  and  a  small 
society  in  that  place.  I  know  not  that  Cooper  and  his 
colleague  went  any  further  up  the  waters  of  the  Monon- 
gahela,  but  turning  their  faces  toward  Uniontown,  near 
the  mouth  of  Cheat  River,  they  found  the  Parishes.  These 
were  men  of  sterling  worth.  Here  a  good  class  was 
formed,  and  a  meeting-house  built,  called  Martin's  Church, 
and  Methodism  has  had  a  permanent  standing  there  ever 
since  its  first  introduction. 

"They  now  leave  Virginia,  enter  again  into  old  Fayette, 
and  bearing  down  the  Monongahela  river  toward  Browns- 
ville, they  establish  a  preaching-place  at  a  Mr.  Roberts', 
nearly  opposite  the  mouth  of  Muddy  Creek,  two  or  three 
miles  from  the  river.  Here  also  a  society  was  raised, 
and  a  meeting-house  built,  called  Roberts'  meeting-house. 
There  was  a  good  society  here  in  1803,  and  in  that  year 
they  had  an  accession  to  the  Church,  and  built  a  new 
meeting-house.  James,  the  eldest  son  of  old  Mr.  Roberts, 
became  a  traveling  preacher  at  an  early  day,  but  soon 
married  and  retired  from  the  work,  yet  sustained  the  rela- 
tion of  a  local  preacher,  and  maintained  the  Christian 
character  till  a  few  years  since,  when,  near  the  town  of 
Cadiz,  Harrison  county,  0.,  he  closed  his  eyes  in  death, 
leaving  his  family  well  provided  for  in  temporalities,  and — 
as  I  am  told — piously  disposed. 

"I  have  followed  these  indefatigable  and  laborious  men 
round  their  circuit,  embracing  parts  of  five  counties,  four 
in  Pennsylvania,  and  one  in  Virginia,  and  have  come  to 
the  place  of  beginning — old  Uniontown.  Here  is  the 
place  where — by  the  instrumentality  of  Worster,  Cooper, 
and  Breeze — the  handful  of  corn  was  placed  in  the  head 
of  the  great  valley,  the  fruit  of  which  has  been  shaken, 
like  Lebanon,  for  more  than  half  a  century.  I  next  pro- 
ceed to  take  some  notice  of  the  extension  of  the  work  by 
those  who  came  after.     In   1785  P.  Moriarty,  J.  Fidler, 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  Ql  INN.  43 

and  W.  Lee  were  appointed  to  Redstone.  Moriarty  was 
the  first  man  L  ever  heard  preach;  1  was  then  a  lad  in  my 
eleventh  year.  His  text  was  Hebrews  xii,  1.  Under  that 
sermon  I  concluded  myself  a  sinner,  and  that  anger  was 
the  Bin  that  most  easily  beset  me.  Whether  this  was  a 
correct  conclusion  or  not,  I  have  been  profited  greatly  by 
it  through  life  thus  far.  These  men  were  greatly  beloved 
by  the  people,  and  very  useful  among  them;  and  the  first 
geni  ration  of  Methodists  in  that  region  of  country  loved, 
and  thought,  and  talked  about  their  beloved  Cooper, 
Breeze,  Moriarty,  Lee,  etc.,  as  long  as  they  lived.  Blessed 
preachers!  blessed  people!  they  are  now  "in  paradise,  and 
will  be  in  heaven  each  other's  joy  and  crown.  Moriarty 
and  his  colleagues  not  only  nursed  the  societies  that  had 
been  raised  by  their  predecessors,  while  they  were  en- 
larged under  their  ministry,  but  they  also  extended  and 
enlarged  their  field  of  labor,  including  all  or  most  of  the 
settlements  between  Washington  county  and  the  Ohio 
river,  and  embracing  that  part  of  Virginia  included  in  the 
counties  of  Brook  and  Ohio,  and  extending  on  the  Ohio 
river  from  Wheeling,  some  twenty-five  or  thirty  miles  up 
to,  or  above  a  place  called  Holliday's  Cave. 

"In  the  bounds  of  this  enlargement,  forty-eight  years 
ago — I  speak  of  those  Avith  whom  I  had  a  personal  ac- 
quaintance— stood  pre-eminent,  as  the  first  fruits,  Isaac 
Meek,  Esq.,  father  to  the  Rev.  John  Meek.  This  very 
aged  man  still  lives,  as  I  am  told  by  his  son  John.  He 
was  a  circuit  steward,  and  a  very  influential,  useful  mem- 
ber of  the  Church  for  many  years;  and  1  know  not  how 
many  scores  of  his  descendants  are  or  have  been  Meth- 
odists, for  he  had  a  very  numerous  family;  and  three  of 
his  sons  became  preachers — one  itinerant,  John,  and  two 
local,  James  and  Jacob. 

"Mr.  John  Stoneman  was  a  most  excellent,  devoted, 
noble-souled   man.     He    was    the    father  of   Rev.    J<  --•• 


44  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

Stoneman,  who  was  a  laborious  and  very  successful  itin- 
erant preacher  for  several  years,  but  located,  and  yet 
lives  in  Perry  county,  0.  He  is  a  happy  old  man,  and  I 
love  him  much;  for  he  was  my  first  class-leader.  Old 
Major  Derrick  Hogeland  had  been  a  very  rough  man  be- 
fore his  conversion;  but  as  he  had  much  forgiven,  he  loved 
much.  He  was  a  warm  exhorter,  and  used  to  call  whisky 
the  devil's  jack-plane;  'for,'  said  he,  'the  joiner  can 
make  every  tool  in  his  shop  follow  his  jack.  So  if  the 
devil  finds  a  fellow  drunk,  he  can  lead  him  captive  at 
his  will.' 

"Old  John  Spahr  was  a  strong,  clear-headed,  warm- 
hearted Dutchman.  His  wife,  Rebecca,  a  sensible,  well- 
read,  and  well-informed  Virginian,  a  deeply-devoted  Chris- 
tian, died  in  great  peace,  some  thirty  years  ago.  She 
was  one  of  those  excellent  women,  whom  her  husband 
might  praise,  and  whose  sons  and  daughters  might  rise 
up  and  call  blessed.  She  exerted  a  most  salutary  influ- 
ence in  her  own  family,  the  society — which  long  met  in 
their  house — and  the  neighborhood  round  about.  I  wept 
when  I  heard  of  her  death;  for  she  was  one  of  my  nursing 
mothers.  Old  father  Spahr  yet  lives,  although  almost  or 
quite  one  hundred  years  old.  If  ever  you  have  seen  a 
print  or  bust  of  Martin  Luther,  you  have  seen  a  pretty 
good  likeness  of  old  father  Spahr.  This  pious  pair  had 
two  sons  and  many  daughters,  all  of  whom  became  re- 
ligious while  young.  The  youngest  son,  Joseph,  became 
a  traveling  preacher.  He  was  a  pious,  amiable  young 
man  of  considerable  promise,  but  the  Lord  called  him 
home  at  the  close  of  the  first  year.  He  died  on  his  way 
to  conference,  at  the  house  of  old  mother  Hamilton, 
mother  of  our  Samuel  Hamilton,  of  the  Ohio  conference. 
His  colleague,  Rev.  Isaac  Quinn,  loved  him  much,  and 
remained  with  him  till  his  spirit  took  its  flight.  His  body 
was  interred  in  the  burying-place  at  Zanesville.     Where? 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  45 

not  a  stone  tolls  whore!  Three  traveling  preachers  ob- 
tained wives  out  of  this  family:  J.  Young,  J.  Laws,  and 
J.  Conley;  and  an  excellent  set  of  women  they  were. 
J  Jut.  they  have  all  gone  to  join  their  sainted  mother  in 
paradise. 

"Next,  old  Major  M'Cullock,  his  excellent  wife,  and 
old  Mrs.  Zane — sister  of  the  Major — together  writh  Col. 
M'Mechan — in  the  vicinity  of  Wheeling — with  his  most 
devoted  wife — who  after  his  death  married  Col.  Strickler — 
all  stood  forth  prominently  as  the  first  fruits  in  the  front 
ranks  of  Methodism,  and  honored  the  cause  which  they 
had  espoused.  One  of  the  grandsons  of  mother  M'Mechan, 
who  used  to  lodge  Methodist  preachers,  midway  from 
Wheeling  to  Grave  Creek,  shone  with  brilliancy  among 
Methodist  preachers  a  short  time,  but  mother — Church — 
offered  him  a  black  gown  and  white  band.  He  accepted; 
and  now  he  preaches  or  reads,  perhaps  both,  in  another 
sphere.  Well,  when  the  Methodist  Church  gets  up  her 
theological  seminaries,  such  cases  may  be  of  frequent 
occurrence;  but  Avhile  Methodist  itinerancy  goes  on  upon 
its  present  plan,  there  will  still  be  use  for  long-headed, 
strong-headod,  clear-sighted,  warm-hearted,  common-sense 
men,  who  will  be  ready  on  all  occasions  to  go  through  evil 
as  well  as  good  report,  not  counting  their  lives  dear  to 
themselves. 

"At  the  close  of  1785  the  number  of  members  from  this 
field  of  labor  was  five  hundred  and  twenty-three;  so  that 
it  appears  they  labored  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord. 

"The  next  year,  William  Phoebus,  John  Wilson,  and  E. 
Phelps  being  appointed  to  Redstone,  they  enlarged  the 
circuit,  passing  up  the  several  branches  of  the  Monon- 
gahela  above  Morgantown,  Va.;  namely,  West  Fork,  Bu- 
chanan, T ygart's  Valley,  and  Cheat  River,  as  far  as  settle- 
ments had  been  made  by  the  whites.  On  the  West  Fork, 
some  twenty  miles  above  Morgantown,  a  society  was  formed 


46  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

in  the  neighborhood,  perhaps  the  house  of  old  Calder  Way- 
mond.  This  man,  his  three  sons  and  several  daughters, 
with  their  families  and  others,  constituted  a  large  and 
nourishing  class.  Thomas,  the  second  son  of  old  father 
Waymond,  became  a  traveling  preacher,  was  admitted  on 
trial  in  1790,  and  for  eight  years  was  a  most  devoted, 
heavenly-minded  man,  a  good,  plain,  and  very  successful 
preacher.  In  May,  1799,  he  was  appointed  to  Ohio  cir- 
cuit, Va.;  and  as  that  was  the  year  of  my  admission  on 
trial,  he  brought  me  my  first  appointment.  We  roomed, 
conversed,  prayed,  and  lodged  together,  at  the  house  of 
the  old  patriarch,  Spahr,  on  the  night  of  the  first  of  June, 
1799.  We  parted  next  morning  to  meet  no  more  on 
earth;  for  on  the  13th  of  that  month,  at  the  house  of 
Caleb  Pumphrey,  his  happy,  bloocl-washed  spirit  took  its 
flight  to  paradise,  and  his  body  was  entombed  in  the 
Methodist  burying-ground,  at  Cadesh  Chapel,  midway  be- 
tween Wellsburg  and  West  Liberty,  Brook  county,  Va., 
where  not  a  stone  tells  where  he  lies.  But  I  was  told  a 
few  years  ago,  that  a  lovely  elm  had  sprung  up  on  or  near 
his  grave.  Lovely  man,  I  loved  him  much;  and  when  I 
heard  of  his  death,  I  tried  to  pray  that  the  Lord  would 
give  me  his  mantle,  if  it  had  not  fallen  on  some  other. 

"Some  fifteen  or  twenty  miles  further  up  toward  Clarks- 
burg, a  door  was  opened,  and  a  good  society  formed,  at 
the  house  of  Mr.  J.  Shinn,  father  of  Rev.  Asa  Shinn. 
This  man  was  of  Quaker  origin,  but  he  believed  and  was 
baptized,  and  his  household.  Forty  years  have  passed 
away  since  I  preached  and  met  the  class  in  this  good 
man's  house.  At  that  time  Asa  was  seeking  salvation 
with  a  broken  spirit — a  broken  and  a  contrite  heart;  we 
prayed  together  in  the  woods,  and  I  have  loved  him  ever 
since — would  that  he  were  yet  with  us.  This  young  man 
was  admitted  on  trial  in  1801,  although  he  had  never  seen  a 
meeting-house  or  a  pulpit  before  he  left  his  father's  house 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  Ql JINN.  47 

to  become  a  traveling  preacher.  Having  only  a  plain, 
English  education,  yet  in  1809  we  find  him,  by  the  ap- 
pointment of  the  venerable  Asbury,  in  the  Monumental 
City,  as  colleague  of  another  backwoods  youth,  R.  R. 
Roberts,  now  Bishop  Roberts.  So  much  for  a  diligent 
attention  to  the  course  of  theological  reading  and  training, 
laid  down  by  Wesley  for  his  preachers,  and  carried  out  by 
Asbury  and  his  coadjutors. 

"A  learned  son  of  the  Church  has  furnished  a  very 
good-natured  apology  for  Mr.  Asbury's  apparent  inatten- 
tion, if  not  opposition,  to  classical  education  and  theolog- 
ical training;  but  who  shall  be  apologized  for?  or  who 
shall  write  the  apology,  at  the  close  of  the  second  century, 
when  the  Church  shall  have  been  in  the  hands  of  a 
classically-educated  and  theologically-trained  ministry, 
amply  provided  for  in  handsome,  local,  congregational, 
or  diocesan  style,  for  half  a  hundred  years?  Perhaps 
some  son  of  the  Church  will  be  able  then  to  show,  from 
proper  data,  that  the  Methodist  ministry  of  the  first  one 
hundred  years,  both  in  Europe  and  America,  were  not 
lacking  in  New  Testament  qualifications  for  the  gnat 
work  which  God  wrought  by  them. 

"Methodist  itinerancy,  as  a  system,  has  hitherto  had  no 
place  for  loungers,  and  may  Heaven  forbid  it  ever  should, 
and  let  all  the  people  say,  Amen.  This  plan  calls  for  men 
to  cut  loose  from  the  world,  and  cast  it  behind.  Let  as 
have  the  men  who  are  constrained  by  the  love  of  Christ, 
moved  by  the  Holy  Qhost — men  who  can  walk  hand  in 
hand  with  poverty,  for  twice  twenty  years;  then  leave 
their  widows  to  trust  in  the  Lord,  and  their  fatherless 
children  to  be  provided  for  and  preserved  alive  by  him. 

"But  whither  am  I  rambling?  Methodism  could  ob- 
tain no  footing  in  Clarksburg  for  many  years — not  so  now, 
I  am  told;  but  some  eight  or  ten  miles  still  further  up 
the   Wesl    Fork,  a  door  was  opened,   and  a  blessed  work 


48  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

ensued.  Many  souls  were  born  of  God.  The  patriarch 
in  the  membership  here  was  old  Moses  Ellsworth,  of  Ger- 
man descent.  He  was  great  grandfather  to  our  Ellsworths 
of  the  Ohio  conference.  His  wife  was  a  Henkle,  and  a 
grandaunt  to  the  Henkles  that  once  were  with  us.  I  used 
to  think  of  the  father  and  mother  of  John  the  Baptist, 
when  I  saw  this  venerable  pair.  They  are  long  since  gone, 
but  Ichabod  has  not  yet  been  written  upon  the  family 
escutcheon. 

"In  this  vicinity  lived,  and  labored,  and  died  in  holy 
triumph,  Joseph  Chieuvrant,  a  Frenchman  by  birth.  He 
was  converted  from  Catholicism,  and  converted  to  God, 
about  the  commencement  of  the  Revolution,  and  had 
permission  to  exhort.  He  was  called  out  by  draft  as  a 
militia-man  in  the  army;  he  became  acquainted  with  and 
was  instrumental  in  the  conversion  of  Lasley  Matthews, 
an  Irish  Catholic.  These  men  were  mighty  in  the  Scrip- 
tures; they  preached,  and  loved,  and  lived  holy.  Many 
a  good  Bible  lesson  have  I  taken  from  them;  for  I  always 
intended  to  learn  something  when  I  got  in  company  with 
such  men.  Old  brother  Chieuvrant  was  one  of  the  most 
extensively-useful  local  preachers  I  ever  knew.  He  was 
son-in-law  of  old  father  Ellsworth.  Still  on  the  West 
Fork,  ascending,  a  society  was  raised  at  an  early  date; 
hence  I  found,  as  the  first  fruits,  two  brothers  by  the 
name  of  Simms,  and  old  brother  Curl,  etc.  Some  of  these 
people  journeyed  to  the  west,  and  settled  in  Champaign 
county,  0.,  where  some  of  their  posterity  are  still  in  the 
ranks  of  Methodism. 

"We  now  take  a  left-hand  fork,  called  Hacker's  Creek, 
and  find  a  living,  loving,  large  society  at  old  father 
Hacker's.  His  numerous  family  were  chiefly  members, 
and  his  son  William  a  local  preacher,  and  another  a  class- 
leader.  No  doubt  forty  years  have  made  great  changes 
here.     Thence  we  cross   over  a  mountain,  or  very  high 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMBS  QUINN.  49 

hill,  on  to  the  head  of  Buchanan,  another  branch  of 
the  Afonongahela.  Here  I  found  a  very  good  society, 
which  had  been  formed  by  the  first  preachers.  Here 
were  the  Reegers  and  others  of  the  first  fruits  still  re- 
maining. To  this  class  belonged  William  Strange,  a  local 
preacher  of  piety  and  usefulness.  He  was  the  father  of 
our  dearly-beloved  Rev.  John  Strange.  This  good  man 
was  strangely  lost  and  never  found.  He  had  gone  out  with 
a  company  of  hunters  to  bring  in  a  horse  load  of  venison; 
which  having  obtained,  he  started  home  alone,  which  he 
never  reached.  Those  who  sought  him  for  many  days, 
found  the  horse,  and  part,  or  signs  of  the  load,  and — as 
they  believed — traced  his  footsteps  for  some  miles.  He 
was  evidently  bewildered,  as  his  tracks  were  leading  him 
from,  and  not  toward  home.  His  loss  was  much  lamented 
by  the  society,  for  he  was  greatly  beloved  by  them.  The 
Lord  took  him,  but  took  care  of  his  widow  and  orphan 
children.  Mrs.  Strange  was  a  Hitt,  a  relative  to  the  men 
of  that  name,  so  long  and  favorably  known  in  the  ministry 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  At  the  time  of  which 
I  write,  she  was,  by  a  second  marriage,  the  wife  of  Mr. 
Hall,  an  Englishman,  and  a  respectable  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  loved  John,  who  was 
then  a  lad,  in  1810. 

"I  took  this  same  John  as  an  exhorter,  and  sent  him  to 
help  J.  B.  Finley,  on  Wills'  Creek  circuit.  0,  lovely  youth! 
0,  blessed  man!  I  loved  him  much,  and  hope  to  meet 
him  in  heaven.  From  Reegers'  settlement,  on  Buchanan, 
we  cross  the  high  or  mountainous  lands  to  the  swamps  in 
Tygart's  Valley.  Here  was  a  society  forty  years  ago, 
which  had  been  raised  by  the  pioneers  of  Methodism,  some 
eight  or  ten  years  prior  to  that  period.  The  principal 
members  here  were  two  brothers,  by  the  name  of  Thomas, 
sons  of  an  old  Methodist  traveling  preacher,  who  used  to 
labor  successfully  on  the  eastern  shore  of  Maryland  and 

5 


50  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

Virginia,  in  the  early  days  of  Methodism;  also,  Edward 
Waymond,  brother  of  Thomas,  of  whom  I  have  taken  some 
notice;  likewise,  brother  N.  Hall,  the  class-leader.  No 
doubt  great  changes  have  taken  place  here  in  forty  years, 
but  still  I  remember  and  love  that  good  society;  for  with 
them  the  Lord  often  refreshed  my  spirit. 

"Having  taken  this  little  excursion  of  a  hundred  and  fifty 
miles  or  more,  through  the  hills  or  mountains  of  Virginia, 
and  visited  all  or  most  of  the  societies  which  had  been  or- 
ganized some  years  previous  to  the  close  of  the  eighteenth 
century,  and  given  the  names  of  some  in  each  society  as 
the  first  fruits,  and  that  from  personal  acquaintance  formed 
on  the  spot,  I  now  propose  to  return  to  old  Uniontown — 
the  place  of  beginning — passing  down  Tygart's  Valley  to 
the  mouth,  and  so  on  through  Morgantown.  I  found  in 
this  range  some  pretty  large  settlements,  where  there  was 
no  Methodist  preaching  or  a  society,  although  attempts  had 
been  made  in  all;  some  of  these  were  held  under  and  by 
Baptist  influence;  and  these  thought  it  their  religious  duty 
to  guard  the  people  against  the  influence  of  Methodist 
preachers  and  principles,  whom  they  regarded  as  false 
prophets,  who,  if  possible,  would  deceive  the  very  elect, 
or  wolves  in  sheep's  clothing;  and  never  did  the  early  set- 
tlers take  more  care  and  pains  to  guard  and  protect  their 
sheep  from  the  prowling  wolves  of  the  forest,  than  did 
these  to  keep  out  Methodist  preachers;  yea,  some  of  them 
appeared  to  think  it  would  not  be  much  harm  to  dispose  of 
them  as  they  used  to  dispose  of  the  wolves  of  the  forest; 
namely,  take  them  in  steel  traps,  or  pitfalls,  or  pass 
cold  lead  through  them.  Other  settlements  were  held  by 
the  'prince  of  the  power  of  the  air,  the  spirit  that  ruleth 
in  the  children  of  disobedience;'  and  the  Universalians, 
whose  visible  leader,  A.  S.,  had  once  been  a  thorough- 
going predestinarian  and  minister  of  the  regular  Baptist 
Church,  and  many  of  the  predestinarians  of  that  day,  fell 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OK  JAMES  QUINN.  51 

into  the  ranks  of  Universalism.  And  why  not?  Al- 
most all  the  Univcrsalians  with  whom  I  have  had  conver- 
sation for  tnrty  years,  whether  of  the  old  or  new  school,  I 
have  found  to  he  determined  predestinarians.  The  wicked 
of  all  classes,  who  had  no  religious  sentiments,  and  wished 
to  be  under  no  moral  restraints,  fell  into  these  ranks,  and 
zealously  joined  the  strong  man  in  keeping  his  house  and 
goods  in  peace.  Thus  Methodism,  for  a  time,  at  least,  was 
kepi  out  of  these  strongholds.  But  I  am  inclined  to  think, 
that  it  hath  had  an  entrance;  yea,  after  the  lapse  of  forty 
years,  I  have  found  the  grandchildren  and  great  grand- 
children of  those  who,  at  that  time,  were  the  determined 
enemies  of  Methodism,  amono-  its  warmest  friends  and  most 
zealous  supporters  and  defenders. 

"In  1787  an  annual  conference  was  held  in  Unionfown, 
in  the  month  of  July.  I  was  at  that  conference,  a  lad,  in 
my  thirteenth  year,  and  witnessed,  I  think,  the  first  ordi- 
nation that  ever  took  place  in  the  great  valley.  Mr.  As- 
bury  officiated,  not  in  the  costume  of  the  'lawn-robed  pre- 
late,' but  as  the  plain  presbyter,  in  gown  and  band,  assisted 
by  Richard  Whatcoat,  elder,  in  the  same  habit.  The  per- 
son ordained  was  Michael  Lord,  of  whom  it  was  said,  that 
he  could  repeat  nearly  the  whole  of  the  New  Testament 
off  the  book  and  large  portions  of  the  Old.  The  scenes 
of  that  day  looked  well  in  the  eyes  of  the  Church  people; 
for  not  only  did  the  preachers  appear  in  sacerdotal  robes, 
but  the  morning  service  was  read,  as  abridged  by  Mr. 
Wesley.  But  the  priestly  robes  and  prayer-book  were  soon 
laid  aside  at  the  same  time;  for  I  never  saw  the  one, 
or  heard  the  other,  since.  Soon  after  this,  Mr.  Lord  de- 
sisted from  the  traveling  ranks,  and  died  in  poverty,  ob- 
scurity, and  peace,  on  Cheat  River,  about  forty-one  or  forty - 
two  years  ago. 

"In  1787  the  number  in  society  in  Redstone  was  seven 
hundred  and  fifty-six.     From  Uniontown,  which  was  then 


52      .  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

the  emporium  of  Methodism  in  the  head  of  the  great  val- 
ley, the  preaching  continued  to  enlarge  the  field  of  labor 
on  every  side,  and  to  every  place  where  the  Macedonian 
cry  was  heard. 

"I  now  ask  the  reader  to  accompany  me  on  a  little 
mountain  excursion  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  or  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  miles.  In  1788  the  Redstone  field  seems 
to  have  been  divided  into  four  circuits — Clarksburg,  Ohio, 
Pittsburg,  and  Redstone.  To  this  field  of  labor  seven 
preachers  were  appointed.  I  knew  them  all.  They  were 
considered  pious  men,  and  useful  in  their  day,  and  some 
of  them  of  very  acceptable  preaching  talents.  J.  Lurtan 
and  Lasley  Matthews  stand  for  Redstone  proper;  and  it 
was  for  them  to  enlarge  the  work  to  the  east,  and  carry  the 
glad  tidings  of  salvation  to  the  sparse  settlements  inter- 
spersed through  the  mountains.  They  entered  the  moun- 
tains, say  fifteen  miles  south  of  Uniontown,  and  passing 
up  a  creek,  made  their  way  to  Sandy  Creek  Glades.  Here 
was  a  pretty  large  settlement.  Here  they  preached,  and 
raised  a  pretty  large  society,  which  was  a  good,  loving 
people  forty  years  ago,  and  met  at  the  house  of  old  William 
Waller. 

"Next,  a  society  was  raised  among  the  Kemps,  Listans, 
Fraziers,  etc.,  near  where  the  National  Road  crosses  the 
Big  Crossings.  There  were  more  than  fifty  in  society  here 
in  1803. 

"Thence  passing  on  down  the  stream,  they  planted  the 
standard  on  Turkey  Foot,  where  the  Big  Crossings,  Little 
Crossings,  and  Laurel  Hill  Creek,  coming  together,  form 
the  Youghiogheny  river.  Here  was  a  considerable  tract  of 
fertile  land,  on  which  lived  many  families.  Benjamin  Jen- 
nings, Isaac  Dwire,  Isaiah  Strawn,  and  cithers,  were  among 
the  first  fruits.  This  society  was  large  and  prosperous  for 
many  years.  The  regular  Baptists  had  also  a  large  so- 
ciety here.     But  they  loved  not  the  Methodists,  because 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  53 

they  baptized  children,  published  a  free  and  full  salvation 
to  all,  urged  the  necessity  of  good  works  as  the  fruits  of 

a  true  faith,  and  taught  the  fearful  doctrine  of  the  possi- 
bility of  making  shipwreck  of  faith,  and  so  falling  off,  or 
falling  from  grace.  No  doubt  forty  years  have  made  great 
changes  here.  I  know  that  many  of  the  people  emigrated 
to  Ohio  at  an  early  day. 

"Next,  they  found  an  open  door  at  Michael  King's,  in 
the  Glades,  not  far  from  Berlin.  This  man,  his  family, 
D.  Moore,  his  family,  and  the  parents  of  Rev.  John  Solo- 
mon, were  there,  as  the  first  fruits  in  the  winter  of  1799  and 
1800,  when  old  brother  J.  Paynter  rode  old  Redstone, 
having  the  writer  as  helper. 

"In  that  winter,  old  father  King  fell  asleep.  He  died 
in  great  peace;  yea,  sweetly  as  babes  sleep,  did  he  yield 
his  life  up.  His  death  was  much  lamented;  for  he  was  a 
good  man,  and  a  good  and  useful  local  preacher. 

"I  now  must  cross  over  the  Laurel  Hill,  and  make  my 
way  into  the  head  of  Ligonier  Valley.  There  was  a  small 
society  at  A.  M'Lean's,  from  Shippensburg  or  Carlisle,  and 
another  at  Enos  King's,  son  of  the  old  local  preacher. 
These,  however,  at  that  time  were  of  recent  date,  and  the 
prospect  not  flattering.  But  near  old  Fort  Ligonier  was 
raised  a  large  and  flourishing  society.  Here  the  father  of 
the  venerable  Bishop  Roberts,  and  his  extensive  family, 
although  Church  people,  fell  into  the  ranks  of  Methodism. 
Ah,  old  mother  missed  it,  in  not  having  a  missionary 
bishop  here,  or  some  one  to  take  care  of  the  poor  sheep  in 
the  wilderness.  Well,  the  Lord  took  care  of  them,  and 
sent  them  pastors  of  his  own  making,  and  after  his  own 
heart;  and  they  collected  the  flock,  and  gave  them  food. 

"Here,  too,  were  the  Shaws  and  Fishers — the  latter  of 
Quaker  origin.  Here,  also,  was  the  devout  Cornelius  Ri- 
ley, and  his  excellent  wife,  Abigail,  father  and  mother  of 
James  and  Tobias  Riley,  of  the  Baltimore  conference. 
5* 


54  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

Little  did  I  think,  at  the  time  I  received  them  into  the 
Church,  and  wrote  their  names  on  the  class  paper,  at  old 
brother  John  Roberts',  brother  of  the  bishop,  that  I  should 
live  and  be  effective,  till  the  lads  should  become  senior 
ministers  in  the  mother  conference.  This  the  Lord  hath 
wrought;  to  him  be  all  the  glory.  0,  what  a  living,  loving 
society  was  here!  Often  was  my  spirit  refreshed  among 
them.  0,  how  they  loved  to  think  and  talk  about  their 
dear  brothers,  Lurtan,  Matthews,  and  others,  through 
whose  instrumentality  they  had  been  brought  to  God! 

"This  society  suffered  much  by  emigration  to  the  west, 
as  most  of  the  societies  in  the  mountains  did;  for  when  the 
rich  lands  of  the  west  came  into  market,  the  mountaineers 
made  a  general  rush,  as  if  the  bears,  panthers,  wolves, 
Indians,  rattlesnakes,  and  fire,  had  all  broke  loose  upon 
them;  and,  poor  things,  many  of  them  lost  their  religion 
and  their  lives  in  the  scuffle. 

"There  was  another  good  society  still  further  down  the 
valley,  which  met  at  the  house  of  a  brother  Howell.  Here 
James  Talbot  was  a  prominent  and  useful  local  preacher; 
and  the  father  and  mother  of  brother  Stewart,  of  Cincinnati, 
with  their  numerous  family,  were  prominent  in  the  mem- 
bership. Here  we  leave  the  valley,  and  crossing  a  moun- 
tain or  very  high  hill,  and  passing  over  Conemaugh  river, 
we  arrive  at  a  pretty  extensive  settlement  on  Black  Lick. 
Here  a  handful  of  corn  had  been  placed  in  the  earth  by 
the  pioneers,  and  a  good  society  sprang  up,  which  met  at 
the  house  of  James  Wakefield.  This  man  was  a  local 
preacher.  I  am  told  he  still  lives.  He  taught  me  some 
good  things,  and  I  loved  him.  I  believe  he  has  two  sons 
in  the  ministry,  and  one  of  them  presiding  elder  on  old 
Redstone.  Well,  we  need  not  be  afraid;  for  if  the  Church 
is  faithful,  and  will  pray  in  faith  to  the  Lord  of  the  harvest, 
he  will  supply  the  Church  and  the  world  with  laborers  of 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  . I  AMES  QIINN.  55 

his  own  making  and  sending,  'who  shall  speak  the  Word 
with  power  as  workers  with  their  God.' 

"Such  has  been  the  character  of  the  Methodist  ministry 
down  to  this'  day,  and  such  may  it  be  till  time  shall  be  no 
more. 

"We  now  leave  the  Black  Lick  settlement,  and  direct 
our  course  west,  and  on  the  top  of  the  Chestnut  Ridge  the 
handful  of  corn  had  produced  a  good  society,  which  met 
at  the  house  of  father  Wakefield,  father  of  James.  To 
this  class  belonged  the  venerable  Martin  Fate,  his  deeply- 
pious  wife,  three  or  four  sons,  and  as  many  daughters.  A 
son  and  grandson  of  this  family  became  preachers,  one 
local — Martin,  who  still  lives  near  Zanesville — and  the 
other  itinerant,  whose  name  will  appear  on  our  next  annual 
minutes,  as  fallen  at  his  post  on  his  circuit.  At  the  foot 
of  the  Chestnut  Ridge,  on  the  west,  we  recross  the  Cone- 
maugh — here  called  Kiskiminitas — having  received  as  a 
tributary  the  Loyalhanna,  which  comes  rushing  down  Lig- 
onier  Valley. 

"We  now  look  again  south  or  south-west,  toward  old 
UniontowTn,  which  is  sixty  miles  or  more  distant;  but  let  us 
not  be  in  haste;  we  have  got  out  of  the  mountains  again, 
and  let  us  move  leisurely  along  through  old  Westmoreland, 
passing  by  Hannahstown  as  we  go,  and  leaving  Greensburg 
to  the  right  hand. 

"  Hannahstowm  had  been  designated  as  the  seat  of  jus- 
tice for  Westmoreland  county;  but  it  was  demolished 
and  burnt  dowrn  by  the  Indians,  and  the  inhabitants  cut  oft", 
more  than  sixty  years  ago.  I  regret  that  I  can  not  give 
the  circumstances  in  detail,  with  correctness  and  certainty. 

"A  few  miles  distant  from  this  place,  the  great  polemic 
battle  was  fought  between  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jamison  and  the 
Rev.  Valentine  Cook,  the  former  of  the  Seceder,  and  the 
latter  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  which  we 
shall  take  some  notice  hereafter.     But  I  was  not  present, 


56  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

and  it  is  possible  that  some  eye  and  ear  witness  may  be  yet 
living,  who  can  give  a  more  perfect  and  satisfactory  account; 
this  would  be  most  desirable.  There  was  a  door  opened 
for  preaching  on  Jacobs'  Creek,  among  the  Masons,  and 
Ragans,  and  a  small  society  raised,  which,  however,  passed 
off  westward  by  emigration,  leaving  scarcely  a  vestige  be- 
hind. 

"A  few  miles  distant  from  Ragan's,  on  the  Youghio- 
gheny  river,  and  near  the  foot  of  the  mountain,  they  ob- 
tained a  preaching-place,  at  one  Flaugherty's  and  Hams', 
on  a  farm  belonging  to  Zachariah  Connell,  grandfather  of 
our  Zachariah  Connell.  Here  a  society  was  raised  by  Ja- 
cob Lurtan,  which  Mr.  Connell,  and  his  numerous  family, 
attended,  and  became  members.  And  the  farm  itself  be- 
came the  site  of  the  town  of  Connellsville;  and  Connells- 
ville  is  now  the  emporium  of  Methodism  in  an  extensive 
tract  of  country." 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  57 


CHAPTER   IV. 

Ordained  deacon,  and  appointed  to  Erie  circuit — Feels  his  respon- 
sibility— State  of  the  population — Forms  a  large  circuit,  embracing 
eighl  or  ten  classes — First  class  organized  at  J.  Mershon's — Could 
do  nothing  at  Meadvilh — Qreal  scarcity — Suffers  with  the  people — 
Finds  R.  K.  Roberts,  and  urges  him  to  help  at  a  watchnight — Sees 
him  made  bishop — Lived  to  see  other  great  changes — Appointed 
to  Winchester — Two  circuits  united — The  plan — Oterbine's  socie- 
ties— Fruitless  effort  of  Vasey — A  revival — Young  men  of  Win- 
chester— J.  Fry  and  others  become  preachers — Clothes  threadbare 
and  no  money — Valuable  local  preachers — Fall  of  his  colleagues — 
E.  George  and  others  entered  the  field — Glorious  success — A  pleas- 
ant day  spent  in  good  company — Asbury  preaches  at  Winchester — 
Meets  O'Kelly — Prays  at  the  meeting  of  the  company  at  Mr. 
Phelps — Xo  light  talk — Grave  subjects  selected  for  social  entertain- 
ment— The  company  described  and  named — Intellectual  musical 
instruments — Dinner — Profitable  conversation — Song  of  praise — 
Prayer  and  benediction  by  Mr.  Asbury. 

In  1801  the  Baltimore  conference  was  held  at  the  house 
of  Rev.  Henry  Willis,  on  Pipe  Creek,  Maryland,  May  1. 
At  this  session  Mr.  Quinn  was  ordained  deacon,  by  Bishop 
Whatcoat,  and  appointed  to  Erie  circuit  alone.  This  was 
the  first  time  Erie  appeared  on  the  minutes.  J.  Rowen 
had  explored  a  part  of  the  ground  the  year  previous,  and 
reported  the  prospect  of  the  reception  of  a  Methodist 
preacher  among  the  people;  and  if  one  were  sent,  he  might 
be  able  to  form  a  circuit.  With  this  prospect  in  view,  the 
bishops  determined  to  send  a  preacher  to  the  settlements 
in  the  north-west,  and  fixed  on  James  Quinn  for  that  diffi- 
cult and  important  work.  After  his  appointment  was  an- 
nounced, Bishop  Asbury  called  him  to  him,  pressed  him 
to  his  bosom,  gave  him  a  Discipline,  and  said:  "Go,  my 
son,  and  make  full  proof  of  thy  ministry."  He  felt,  most 
exquisitely,  the  fearful  amount  of  responsibility  connected 
with  the  great  work  of  planting  Methodism  and  organizing 
societies  in  that  new  country.     With  the  solemn  charge  of 


58  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

the  bishop  pressing  on  his  heart  and  conscience,  he  started 
immediately  for  the  field  of  labor  assigned  him,  in  com- 
pany with  Joseph  Shane,  a  probationer  of  the  first  year, 
who  was  appointed  to  Chenango  circuit,  which  had  been 
formed  two  years  before.  They  had  no  railroads  or  even 
turnpikes  then,  but  the  whole  journey  was  accomplished 
on  horse,  and  along  the  narrow,  difficult  mountain  paths. 
After  crossing  the  Alleghany  river  at  Pittsburg,  they  sep- 
arated. Joseph  Shane  passed  down  the  Ohio  to  Beaver 
River,  and  Mr.  Quinn  went  directly  to  Meadville,  which 
was  supposed  to  be  the  center  of  his  new  circuit,  or  rather 
mission.  The  Presbyterian  Synod  of  Pennsylvania  had 
sent  out  ministers,  who  had  laid  out  all,  or  most  of  the 
settlements,  into  congregational  districts;  and,  whenever 
they  could  gather  a  sufficient  number  of  members,  they 
organized  churches  and  ordained  them  elders,  so  that  they 
seemed  to  have  taken  possession  of  the  entire  country. 
Our  pioneer,  however,  thought  he  saw  a  well-marked 
opening  to  spread  Scripture  holiness  over  that  land;  and, 
with  the  zeal  and  courage  of  a  true  missionary,  he  went 
forth  with  his  Bible,  Hymn-Book,  and  Discipline,  visiting 
the  various  settlements,  and,  from  cabin  to  cabin,  preach- 
ing Christ  and  him  crucified,  and  praying  most  fervently 
for  the  salvation  of  the  people.  His  labors  were  greatly 
blessed  of  God,  and  he  finally  succeeded  in  permanently 
forming  a  circuit  between  three  and  four  hundred  miles 
round,  embracing  about  twenty  preaching-places,  and 
eight  or  ten  small  classes.  The  first  class  he  organized 
was  at  the  house  of  John  Mershon,  near  the  lake  shore,  in 
Erie  county,  Penn.  Some  four  or  five  families  were  found 
in  this  neighborhood,  who  hailed  our  missionary  with  a 
joyful  welcome,  and  received  with  readiness  of  mind  the 
word  of  truth,  the  Gospel  of  their  salvation,  which  he 
preached.  At  this  distance  of  time,  it  may  be  interesting 
for  the  Methodists  of  Erie  county  to  know  at  whose  house 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QI'INN.  59 

the  first  class  was  organized,  and  the  number  and  names 
of  the  members.  They  were  John  Mershon,  his  wife 
Bathsheba,  Daniel  and  Elizabeth  Monroe,  brother  and 
sister  of  Joshua  Monroe,  of  the  Pittsburg  conference,  and 
Andrew  Stall.  Of  these  live,  I  believe,  none  remain  on 
earth  but  the  venerable  Mershon,  who  lives  to  furnish  this 
information,  and  who  says  this  was  the  first  religious 
organization  of  any  kind  ever  formed  in  Erie  county. 
These  were  the  first  fruits  of  Methodism  gathered  into  the 
Church,  but,  since  that  period,  the  wilderness  has  blos- 
somed  as  the  rose. 

Mr.  Quinn  said  himself,  "I  could  get  no  foothold  in 
Meadville.  They  had  an  educated  and  classically-quali- 
fied minister  there,  and  the  Methodist  ministers  were  said 
to  be  'very  illiterate,'  and  were  viewed  rather  as  a  set  of 
irresponsible  men,  unworthy  of  confidence.  But  time  has 
proved,  that  if  they  could  not  write  or  speak  classically, 
the  most  of  them  were  capable,  by  grace,  of  making  an 

EVANGELICAL  MARK." 

During  this  year  the  people,  throughout  the  entire 
bounds  of  his  labors,  experienced  such  a  scarcity  of  pro- 
visions that  it  was  bordering  on  a  famine,  and  the  preacher 
suffered  in  the  painful  calamity  as  well  as  the  inhabitants. 
He  says,  in  his  own  modest  language,  "I  suffered  a  little 
in  the  flesh  this  year.  Breadstuff's  were  very  scarce,  and 
what  flesh  we  ate  was  chiefly  taken  from  the  woods  with 
the  rifle.  But  about  midsummer  we  got  plenty  of  good 
potatoes.  Once,  however,  having  been  several  days  with- 
out bread  or  meat,  I  indulged,  when  very  hungry,  in  eat- 
ing too  freely  of  half-ripe  blackberries,  which  caused  an 
attack  of  bilious  colic  that  held  me  two  days.  But,  on 
the  third  day,  an  old  lady  cured  me  by  giving  me  weak 
lye  made  of  hickory  ashes.  Thank  God  for  that.  Upon 
the  whole,  1  look  back  with  as  much  pleasure  upon  the 
labors  and  sufferings  of  that  year,  as  any  one  of  the  many 


60  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

years  I  have  been  employed  in  the  vineyard  of  the 
Lord." 

It  was  in  this  year's  travels  that  he  found  the  modest, 
diffident,  and  very  retiring  Robert  R.  Roberts,  on  the  head 
waters  of  the  Little  Chenango,  where  he  then  lived,  a  pious 
private  member  of  the  Church.  Mr.  R.  had  been  cer- 
tainly called  of  God  to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  but 
he  was  laboring  to  suppress  his  convictions  of  duty  in 
his  much-loved  retirement.  At  a  watch-night,  held  by 
Messrs.  Quinn  and  Shane,  some  six  miles  from  his  resi- 
dence, Mr.  Quinn  urged  R.  R.  Roberts  to  help  them  in  the 
labors  of  the  meeting.  He  made  no  definite  answer,  but 
when  the  Hymn-Book  was  handed  to  him  at  the  close  of 
the  first  sermon,  he  arose  and  addressed  the  congregation, 
in  an  exhortation  of  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes,  which  was 
about  his  first  public  effort.  In  1816  Mr.  Quinn  saw  him 
ordained  bishop,  at  the  General  conference  in  Baltimore, 
and  conducted  to  the  episcopal  chair.  His  exclamation 
then  was,  "What  hath  God  wrought!"  He  lived  to  see 
other  and  great  changes  and  improvements.  A  Meth- 
odist college  has  been  established,  and  many  circuits, 
stations,  and  districts,  and  parts  of  three  conferences,  are 
now  embraced  in  what  was  then  the  territory  of  his  Erie 
circuit.  Truly,  a  little  one  has  become  a  thousand.  "It 
is  the  Lord's  doing,  and  it  is  marvelous  in  our  eyes!" 

In  1802  the  Baltimore  conference  was  held  on  the  first 
of  April.  Mr.  Quinn  was  appointed  to  the  Winchester 
circuit,  and  Solomon  Harris  and  Thomas  Doxey  to  Berk- 
ley. By  some  process,  it  appears  the  two  circuits  were 
united,  and  the  three  preachers  traveled  the  whole  as  one 
circuit,  each  making  a  round  once  in  six  weeks,  preaching 
twice  in  Winchester,  so  as  to  give  that  town  preaching 
every  Sabbath.  The  extent  of  this  field  of  labor,  the 
prosperity  of  the  work  of  God  on  the  circuit  this  year,  and 
many  other  interesting  particulars,  shall  be  given  in  Mr. 


LIFE  AND   LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUERN.  61 

Quinn's  own  language.  He  says:  "1  assure  you  we  had 
work  enough  to  do,  as  you  will  sec  when  I  give  you  the 
plan. 

"In  Winchester  we  preached  twice  on  the  Sabbath. 
We  preached,  also,  at  Hagan's,  Mersor's,  Buckmaster's, 
Ryzer's,  Ambrouse's,  Cramer's,  and  Warm  Springs.  The 
societies  at  the  four  last-named  places  were  pious,  devoted 
people,  chiefly  of  German  descent,  and  attached  to  Mr. 
Oterbine's  societies,  and  at  that  time  called  Dutch  Meth- 
odists. They  had  voluntarily  placed  themselves  under 
our  watch-care,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  English 
preaching  for  the  benefit  of  their  neighbors  and  rising 
families,  who  were  losing  a  knowledge  of  the  German 
laiwiiaofe.  Indeed,  at  that  time  there  was  a  strong  incli- 
nation  in  that  society  to  become  one  people  with  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church;  and  this,  certainly,  was  the  advice 
and  desire  of  the  good  Oterbine.  Hedge's  Chapel,  Mar- 
tinsburg,  Samuel  Harris',  Bucklestown,  S.  Chalfant's,  Na- 
than Young's,  Pane's  Meeting-House — at  all  these  stands 
Ave  had  classes,  except  Martinsburg.  That  at  Hedge's 
Chapel  was  a  good  society,  composed  chiefly  of  old  Church 
people,  and  the  church  or  chapel  itself  was  built  under 
the  crown;  but  the  Methodists  had  peaceable  possession. 
My  first  appointment  in  Martinsburg  was  at  night,  and  Ave 
held  meeting  in  the  court-house,  by  the  light  of  one  candle. 
We  had  a  few  pious  members  here,  but  they  were  attached 
to  classes  in  the  country.  In  Bucklestown  there  were  the 
remains  of  a  good  society,  but  it  had  suffered  much  by 
emigration  to  the  west.  At  Rev.  N.  Young's  Ave  had  a 
good,  loving  society,  and  a  blessed  revival  in  the  course 
of   the   year.      At   Pane's   the    society    had   been   almost 

ruined  and  broken  up  by .     Verily,  one  sinner  ^[toihtk 

much  good.  There  Avere  some  buddings  of  good  that  year, 
and  a  few  souls  added  to  the  Lord.  G.  Bruce's,  Gran- 
tham's. Joseph   Hite's,  Thomas  Keys',  Samuel  Welch's, 


62  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

William  Taylor's,  Lemmon's,  Shepherdstown,  and  Charles- 
town — at  all  these  appointments  there  were  good  societies, 
except  at  Joseph  Hite's.  There  had  been  a  large  and 
nourishing  society  here,  and  a  meeting-house;  but  it  had 
been  so  reduced  by  death  and  emigration  to  the  west,  that 
we  found  but  seven  members;  but  the  Lord  remembered 
his  heritage  here  this  year,  and  so  built  up  this  waste  place 
of  Zion  that  Ave  left  about  sixty  in  the  society — a  most 
lovely  and  hopeful  set  of  young  people.  I  have  met  some 
of  them  in  the  west,  who  now,  like  myself,  are  old  and 
gray-headed;  but  this  guide  of  their  youth  is  now  the  staff 
of  their  age,  and  they  have  not  forgotten  the  revival  of 
1802,  at  Hite's,  near  Charlestown,  Jefferson  county,  Va. 
In  Shepherdstown  there  was  a  good  society  in  a  healthy 
state,  and  the  Lord  of  hosts  was  with  them.  In  this  place 
the  Rev.  Thomas  Vasey — one  of  Mr.  Wesley's  elders,  who 
was  present,  and  perhaps  assisted,  at  the  organization  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  ordination  of  Mr. 
Asbury — having  separated  from  that  Church,  he  en- 
tered into  the  bosom  of  old  stepmother,  put  all  his  ener- 
gies into  action  for  the  purpose  of  raising  up  her  wastes, 
and  restoring  her  glory.  But  ah!  it  would  not  do — the 
candlestick  was  removed,  and  the  glory  departed.  The 
anti- Christian  union  between  Church  and  state  had  been 
broken  up,  tithes  and  glebes  could  no  longer  be  relied 
upon  for  Church  revenue,  and  the  religious  orders  of 
America  were  left  free  to  choose  their  own  course,  and 
worship  God,  with  or  without  name,  in  temple,  synagogue, 
church,  or  meeting-house,  standing,  sitting,  or  kneeling, 
in  silence  or  with  a  loud  voice,  with  or  without  book. 
Besides,  the  interests  of  stepmother  had  suffered  griev- 
ously during  the  Revolution;  for,  while  the  Presby- 
terians, Baptists,  and  Methodists,  with  other  pastors, 
remained  with  their  flocks  during  the  terrible  conflict, 
being  willing  to  spend  and  be  spent — to  live,  to  labor,  to 


l.li-i-;  AM)  LABORS  0¥  JAMES  Ql  l.vv  03 

suffer,  yea,  to  die  with  and  for  the  flocks  <>\<r  which  the 
Holy  Ghost  had  made  them  overseers— the  hirelings,  pre- 
tended successors  of  the  apostles,  took  fright,  and  took  flight 
to  the  land  of  their  fathers,  leaving  their  flocks  to  the 
mercy  of  the  devil,  or  to  the  care  of  the  Presbyterians, 
Methodists,  Baptists,  etc.  Now,  if  havoc  was  made  of 
those  flocks  that  had  been  abandoned  to  their  fate  by 
their  faithless  shepherds,  who  is  to  bear  the  blame? 
Thanks  to  the  good  Shepherd,  he  gave  these  deserted 
sheep  and  lambs  into  the  care  of  other  shepherds,  and 
they  have  been  led  into  green  pastures,  where  living- 
waters  flow,  and  all  the  blustering  and  blowing  of  the 
inflated  sons  of  old  stepmother  can  not  make  them  believe 
that  they  have  not  Gospel  order  and  Gospel  food.  Well, 
Mr.  Vasey  found,  after  a  time,  that  he  was  engaged  in  a 
hopeless  enterprise,  that  all  his  efforts  proved  fruitless; 
and,  therefore,  yielding  either  to  discouragement  or  con- 
viction of  a  premature  or  improper  course,  he  gave  up  and 
returned  to  old  England,  where,  after  a  time,  he  found  his 
way  back  into  the  Wesleyan  connection,  in  which,  I  be- 
lieve, he  lived,  labored,  and  died.  The  old  church,  in 
Shepherdstown,  stood  unoccupied  in  1802. 

"But  it  is  time  to  give  my  reader  another  section  of  our 
circuit.  Whitehouse,  on  Bull-Skin;  Bartholomew  Smith's, 
father  of  old  brother  Henry  of  Baltimore  conference; 
Scurtf's,  near  Battletown;  widow  Green's,  near  Paris,  or 
the  Blue  Ridge;  Northern's,  in  Sniger's  Gap;  Weekly's; 
LeehewTtown,  on  Shenandoah;  North's.  At  all  these  places 
we  had  classes,  save  one;  and  some  revival  influence,  and 
refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  in  the  course  of 
tlie  year.  This  last  section  wras  a  very  rough  portion  of 
the  circuit,  as  we  had  to  cross  the  Blue  Ridge  and  Shen- 
andoah river,  each  twice.  But  we  minded  not  the  toil; 
for  in  those  days  Methodist  preachers  were  wont  to  find 
their  way  into  every  nook  and   corner  where   there   were 


64  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

human  beings,  provided  they  could  find  an  open  door,  and 
procure  an  audience,  be  the  fare  rough  or  smooth.  But 
we  have  not  got  round  yet.  We  have  still  another  im- 
portant section,  and  this  will  bring  round  Stevensburg, 
White-Post,  Middletown,  the  Cove  among  the  mountains, 
on  Cedar  Creek — a  small  class  of  pious  people,  but  they 
were  not  to  be  thrown  out  of  the  circuit  because  they 
were  poor,  few  in  number,  and  remotely  situated — Spack- 
elford's  Meeting-House,  and  William  Sadler's.  At  all 
these  stands  we  had  societies.  That  at  Spackelford's, 
however,  was  very  feeble:  I  think  only  four  in  number. 
It  had  once  been  large  and  flourishing;  but  by  death,  de- 
clension, and  emigration  to  the  west,  it  was  almost  gone; 
yet  the  Lord  had  mercy  on  them  in  their  low  estate,  made 
bare  his  arm  for  them,  stretched  it  out,  and  raised  them 
up,  so  that  when  we  left  the  circuit  they  were,  say  seventy 
in  society,  most  of  them  warm  and  happy  in  their  first 
love.  One  young  man  in  this  revival  gave  me  great  joy. 
I  had  labored  much  with  him,  and  rejoiced  over  him  as 
Paul  did  over  Timothy,  believing  that  in  him,  at  least,  I 
had  one  seal  to  my  ministry.  For  several  years  he  was  a 
most  successful  traveling  preacher,  and  an  instrument  of 
great  good  to  my  father's  house;  for  under  his  ministry 
three  of  my  brothers  and  a  sister,  with  my  father,  were 
brought  into  the  fellowship  of  the  Church;  but,  having 
married — that  was  not  wrong — he  located,  entered  into 
business,  became  drowsy,  laid  his  head  on  a  pillow,  or 
soft  lap,  was  shorn  of  his  strength,  almost  lost  both  his 
eyes;  but  awoke  up,  made  a  mighty  struggle,  and,  it  was 
hoped,  made  the  shore;  but  it  was  like  the  escape  from 
the  dwelling  wrapped  in  flames,  or  the  mariner  flying  in 
the  slender  bark  from  the  foundered  and  sinking  wreck. 
Ah,  Joseph,  I  loved  thee  much!  At  Stevensburg  we 
were  favored  with  a  most  blessed  revival — scores  of  pre- 
cious souls  were  brought  from  darkness  to  light,  and  from 


LIFE  A.ND   LAUUKS  OF  JAMJfiS  QDINN.  66 

the  power  of  Satan  to  God.  Out  of  this  revival  several 
preachers  came  forth — a  White,  Talbot,  Pool,  Brison,  i  tc. 
1  have   met  some  of  the  subjects  and  witnesses  of  that 

revival  in  the  west,  and  have  talked  and  thought  of  the 
subject  till  our  hearts  have  burned  within  us.  in  Win- 
chester we  had  a  charming  set  of  young  men,  to  whom 
I  became  much  united  in  spirit,  and  with  them  I  often 
took  BWeel  counsel.  Fry  had  laid  down  the  carpenter's 
tools,  and  gone  forth  at  the  Master's  bidding  to  labor  in 
the  vineyard.  His  brother  Joe  was  still  pushing  the 
plane,  and  Michael  boot  and  shoe-making.  J.  Carson  was 
making  shoes,  and  Simon  Lauk  making  guns.  They  all 
believed  that  they  heard  the  Master  say,  '  Go  ye  also  into 
my  vineyard:'  and  they  were  using  all  diligence,  and 
exerting  all  their  energies,  to  get  ready.  I  often  visited 
their  shops;  found  on  the  bench,  or  near  at  hand,  the 
Bible,  a  grammar,  logic,  some  book  on  science  or  the- 
ology— proofs,  this,  that  they  gave  attention  to  reading — no 
filthiness,  fooling,  talking,  or  jesting,  but  such  as  was 
good  to  the  use  of  edifying.  They  were  young  men,  but 
M-hrr-minded;  and  yet  there  was  a  cheerfulness  and 
buoyancy  of  spirit  that  sweetened  society,  and  made  the 
heart  better.  0,  brothers  of  my  heart,  how  I  loved 
them!  Well,  as  might  have  been  expected,  they  all  be- 
came useful,  yea,  able  ministers  of  the  New  Testament. 
"I  reached  my  circuit,  and  took  my  first  appointment 
in  Winchester  early  in  May,  and  first  learned  here  that 
the  circuits  had  been  tied  together,  and  that  I  was  released 
from  the  charge.  This  suited  my  feelings  well;  but  I 
came  rather  in  poor  plight,  for  I  had  traveled  on  Mus- 
kingum, Hocking,  and  Kanawha  in  1800,  and  on  Erie  in 
1801;  and  as  there  were  no  missionary  funds  in  those 
days,  my  purse  was  empty,  and  my  clothes  threadbare. 
Nevertheless,  I  was  not  ashamed;  for  I  believed  L  had 
been  sent  by  Him  who  senl  out  his  first  missionaries 
6* 


66  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

without  purse  or  scrip,  while  he  himself  had  not  where 
to  lay  his  head;  and  they  suffered  from  hunger,  cold,  and 
nakedness.  Shall  I  say  that  the  man  who  can  not  brook 
all  this  is  unfit  to  be  a  missionary?  Well,  it  was  not  long 
before  I  was  well  clad,  and  had  money,  too.  Permit  me 
now  to  mention  my  visit,  in  company  with  and  by  request 
of  brother  G.  Reed,  to  the  sick  room  and  dying  bed  of 
Gen.  Daniel  Morgan,  that  terrible  thunderbolt  of  war, 
who,  with  his  companions,  made  the  British  lion  quail. 
But  the  thunder  and  din  of  war  had  passed,  and  the 
hero  had  retired  to  wear  in  private  life  the  fading  laurels 
accorded  to  him  by  a  nation.  In  the  mean  time,  death, 
who  had  passed  by  him  in  the  field  of  battle,  had  not 
lost  sight  of  him  or  given  up  his  claim,  but  pursuing  him 
close  through  every  lane  of  life,  nor  missing  once  the 
track,  at  length  overtook  him  in  his  bed-chamber,  and  he 
must  go  the  way  whence  he  shall  never  return.  I  was 
introduced  to  him  in  character  by  Mr.  Reed.  He  reached 
out  his  hand,  and  looking  me  full  in  the  face,  said,  '  0,  sir, 
I  am  glad  you  have  come  to  see  me,  and  I  hope  you  will 
pray  for  me;  for  I  am  a  great  sinner,  about  to  die,  and  I 
feel  that  I  am  not  prepared  to  meet  my  God.'  I  ventured 
to  show  him  the  way  of  salvation  by  faith  in  Him  who 
suffered  the  just  for  the  unjust,  that  he  might  bring  us 
to  God — then  prayed  with  him.  He  wept  much,  and  I 
left  him  bathed  in  tears.  Never  did  I  see  tears  flow  more 
copiously  from  man,  woman,  or  child.  Ah,  thought  I, 
how  little  can  the  honors  or  riches  of  the  world  do  for 
poor  man  when  death  comes!  When  I  came  round 
again  death  had  done  its  work;  the  body  had  been  in- 
terred with  the  honors  of  war,  and  the  spirit  had  gone 
to  God  who  gave  it.  Rev.  Mr.  Hill,  Presbyterian  min- 
ister, who  continued  his  visits  to  the  last,  believed  there 
was  some  ground  of  hope  in  his  death.  0,  how  hazard- 
ous to  defer  repentance  till   stretched  upon  the  bed  of 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  Qlf.VN.  67 

death!  I  now  took  my  plan  of  thirty-eight  appointments, 
besides  six  or  eighl  appointments  at  night,  for  the  special 
benefit  of  the  people  of  color,  and  went  on,  from  day  to 
day,  Avith  fear  and  trembling,  feeling  a  deep  sense  of  my 
gr<  •  inadequacy.  But  the  Lord  helped  me,  gave  me 
favor  in  the  sighl  of  the  people,  and  access  to  their  hearts. 
I  soon  became  det  ply  interested  in  the  prosperity  of  the 
people  at  each  preaching-place,  as  may  be  inferred  from 
the  fact  that  1  still  retain  the  name  of  each  preaching- 
place,  though  1  have  kept  no  record.  The  territory  of 
three  large  counties  was  embraced  in  our  bounds;  namely, 
Frederick,  Berkley,  and  Jefferson;  and  we  must  have  rode 
near  four  hundred  miles  in  reaching  all  the  appointments, 
as  they  stood  arranged  on  the  plan.  In  no  section  of  the 
work  in  which  my  lot  has  been  cast,  have  I  found  so 
large  an  amount  of  first-rate  ministerial  talent  operating 
in  a  local  sphere.  In  Winchester  Enoch,  afterward  Bishop, 
George,  having  located,  was  engaged  in  school-teaching 
in  Shepherdstown.  S.  G.  Roszel,  having  located,  was  en- 
gaged in  the  same  business.  Near  the  same  place  was 
located,  on  a  farm,  Richard  Swift.  Between  Shepherds- 
town  and  Charlestown,  Samuel  Welch.  In  the  vicinity  of 
Stevensburg  there  were  Elisha  Phelps,  Wm.  M'Dowell, 
and  Lewis  Chasteen.  These  had  all  been  successful  and 
popular  traveling  preachers,  and  were  considered  men  of 
first-rate  talents;  and,  although  none  of  them  were  classi- 
cally educated,  yet  were  they  men  of  sound,  well-improved 
minds;  and,  were  they  now  alive,  they  would  be  listened 
to  with  interest  and  profit  by  the  most  intelligent  con- 
gregations. At  the  feet  of  these  excellent  men  I  took 
many  useful  lessons  in  theology;  for  I  was  more  than 
willing  to  learn,  and  they  were  apt  to  teach.  Roszel  and 
George  again  entered  the  itinerant  ranks;  but  the  other 
five  ended  their  lives  and  labor  in  a  local  relation,  re- 
maining fast  friends  of  the  Church  and  of  itinerancy  to 


68  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

the  end.  The  circuit  and  cause  of  religion  sustained  some 
injury  from  the  rather  worse  than  imprudent  conduct  of 
the  other  two  preachers:  the  one,  being  a  probationer,  left 
without  leave;  the  other  was  reprimanded  and  removed, 
dragged  on  a  year  or  two  years,  and  was  finally  expelled 
for  grossly-immoral  conduct.  0,  how  this  grieved  and 
wounded  me,  causing  me  to  go  with  my  head  bowed 
down  for  many  days  and  weeks!  for,  till  then,  I  had  never 
been  associated  with  a  Methodist  preacher  in  whose  re- 
ligious integrity  I  had  not  the  utmost  confidence.  0,  to 
what  amazing  lengths  in  crime  have  some  men  gone  under 
the  mask  of  religion!  Few,  very  few  men  have  attempted 
this  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  whose  sin  has  not 
found  them  out,  so  that  they  have  been  unmasked.  But 
in  our  trouble  we  called  on  the  Lord,  and  he  helped  us. 
The  spirits  of  those  worthy  men  whose  names  I  have 
mentioned  was  stirred  within  them,  and  they  came  to  the 
help  of  the  Lord  against  the  mighty,  and  the  cause  of 
Christ  was  well  sustained.  Brother  George  dismissed  his 
school,  took  up  and  girded  on  the  Gospel  armor,  and 
came  forth,  sword  in  hand,  and  the  Lord  of  hosts  was 
with  him.  The  other  local  preachers  helped  much,  and 
our  excellent  host  of  young  men  of  Winchester  sallied 
forth  like  so  many  young  Davids,  each  with  his  Gospel 
sling  and  pouch  of  pebbles  from  the  brook.  In  the  mean 
time  along  came  Mr.  Asbury,  giving  us,  as  he  passed 
through  our  circuit,  six  sermons,  many  exhortations,  and 
prayer  almost  without  ceasing;  and  commending  us  to  the 
grace  of  God,  on  he  went  to  Holston,  leaving  his  traveling 
companion,  Rev.  Edward  Matthews,  to  help  us.  Now  the 
Gospel  car  began  to  move  gloriously,  increasing  in  velocity 
to  the  end  of  the  year,  and  we  wound  up  with  the  addi- 
tion of  three  hundred  souls  to  the  Church.  0,  glory!  my 
soul  gets  happy  while  I  think  and  write." 

Mr.  Quinn  has  furnished  the  following  graphic  account 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUIRK.  GO 

of   a  pleasant   day,    profitably   spent    in    good    company, 
during  this  year: 

"The  untiring  Bishop  Asbury,  in  wending  his  way  to  the 
south-wist,  had  sent  on  his  appointments  to  enter  the  fertile 
valley  at  Shepherdstown,  Va.;  and  so  passing  up  the  val- 
ley, preached  at  Shepherdstown,  Charlestown,  Winchester, 
Stevensburg,  Harrisonburg,  Stanton,  etc.,  on  to  Abingdon. 

"Sunday.  AuguM  22,  he  Spent  in  Winchester,  preached 
twice,  read  letters,  etc.;  had  a  good  day.  (See  his  Jour- 
nal, vol.  3,  p.  76.) 

"Monday,  23,  had  his  last  interview  with  Mr.  O'Kelly. 
It  was  friendly  in  its  character,  and  it  is  probable  that 
hatred  was,  to  some  extent,  conquered  by  love.  An 
arrangement  was  made  for  the  Bishop  to  rest  a  day  or 
two  at  the  house  of  his  warm-hearted  friend,  Rev.  Elisha 
Phelps,  in  the  vicinity  of  Stevensburg,  where  he  would 
receive  his  friends.  Accordingly,  on  Tuesday,  24th,  at  an 
early  hour,  before  the  heat  of  the  day  came  on,  a  most 
interesting  company  convened  at  the  lovely  country  resi- 
dence, where  true  Virginia  hospitality,  in  old  style,  stood 
ready  to  receive  them  with  smiling  welcome.  As  soon  as 
the  company  were  seated  in  the  not  splendid  but  neatly- 
arranged  parlor,  in  order  that  all  things  might  be  sanc- 
tified by  the  word  of  God  and  prayer,  the  Bishop,  in  his 
usually-laconic  and  comprehensive  style,  addressed  the 
throne  of  grace.  Although  the  prayer  was  short,  it 
seemed  to  take  in  all  for  which  man  or  minister  should 
pray.  0,  how  much  unprofitable,  not  to  say  vain,  rep- 
etition do  we  sometimes  hear  in  the  long  prayers  .>t' 
some  well-disposed  persons!  Not  so  prayed  Asbury. 
The  prayer  concluded,  the  company  resumed  their  seats: 
and  what  then?  Light  chit-chat,  mixed  with  peals  of 
laughter,  in  which  all  persons  talk  and  no  one  h< 
No,  no;  it  was  'the  feast  of  reason  and  the  flow  of  soul,' 
in  a  free  flow  of  conversation  on  a  variety  of  interesting 


70  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

topics,  chiefly  of  a  moral  and  religious  character.  The 
state  of  the  old  world,  in  religion  and  politics,  occupied  a 
part  of  the  time.  The  revolutions  in  Europe,  the  shaking 
of  thrones,  the  fulfillment  of  prophecy,  the  overthrow  of 
the  beast  and  the  false  prophet;  Newton,  Faber,  Bengelius, 
and  Wesley,  on  the  fulfillment  of  prophecy;  infidelity  in 
Europe  and  America;  the  spread  of  the  Gospel,  the  rolling 
of  the  stone  cut  out  of  the  mountains,  the  glorious  1836, 
which — according  to  some — was  to  usher  in  the  glories  of 
the  millennium;  these,  together  with  the  state  of  affairs  in 
our  own  America,  God  maintaining  his  own  cause,  making 
bare  his  arm,  pouring  out  his  Spirit  gloriously  on  different 
branches  of  his  Church,  etc.,  entered  largely  into  the  so- 
cial entertainments  of  that  pleasant  day. 

"And  now,  if  I  could  I  would  most  cheerfully  give  the 
reader  a  minute  description  of  that  social  band.  I  fear  a 
failure,  but  will  try.  Well,  then,  here  were  our  host,  Rev. 
E.  Phelps,  and  hostess.  He  had  been  a  traveling  preacher, 
of  respectable  talents.  His  heart  was  still  warm  in  the 
cause,  though  he  had  retired  from  the  work.  His  open, 
good-natured  countenance  told  his  guests  that  they  were 
welcome,  and  that  was  enough.  His  deeply-pious  lady, 
somewhat  in  advance  of  him  in  years,  was  of  olden  style, 
a  sensible,  well-informed  woman,  without  the  tinsel  and 
flippery  of  modern  etiquette.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Col. 
Hyte,  of  Revolutionary  fame.  Her  orderly  movements  and 
countenance  beaming  with  good  nature  said  to  her  friends, 
Feel  yourselves  welcome. 

"Then  here  was  Mr.  Asbury,  in  better  health  than 
usual,  and  in  fine  spirits;  I  never  saw  him  in  a  more  cheer- 
ful and  pleasant  mood;  for  the  Lord  was  then  gloriously 
pouring  out  his  Spirit  in  many  places,  and  many  souls  were 
coming  home  to  God;  and  this  always  cheered  the  heart 
of  the  good  man. 

"Well,  that  tall,  swarthy  southerner,  of  ministerial  garb 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  71 

and  mien — who  was  that?  Tnatwaa  Rev.  Philip  Bruce,  a 
bachelor.  lie  brought  good  news  from  the  south  of  Vir- 
ginia.     His  district  was  all  in  a  flame. 

''Well,  that  somewhat  robust,  line-looking  gentleman, 
with  black  band,  in  Virginia  cotton  home-spun,  and  that 
sickly-looking  lady  near  him,  who  were  they?  That  was 
Rev.  Samuel  Mitchell,  of  Bottetourt,  Va.  He  was  a  whole- 
souled  Virginian,  who.  by  word  and  deed,  carried  out  the 
first  principles  of  the  doctrine  contained  in  the  Declaration 
of  American  Independence.  His  heart  was  all  on  fire. 
The  news  of  the  gnat  work  of  God  in  west  Tennessee 
and  Kentucky  had  just  come  to  hand  by  private  letters. 
In  his  amiable  lady  we  saw  and  admired  the  power  and 
loveliness  of  blest  Christianity,  fortifying  the  mind  and 
cheering  the  heart,  while  sweet  resignation  sat  smiling  at 
the  approach  of  death.  A  few  months  more,  and  she 
slept  in  Jesus,  and  all  was  well. 

"But  there  is  still  another  interesting  figure,  somewhat 
robust,  but  not  corpulent,  a  fine  manly  face,  and  smiling 
countenance.  Well,  that  was  Dr.  J.  Tildon,  a  local 
preacher;  had  been  a  captain  in  the  Revolution;  held  a  cer- 
tificate of  membership  in  the  Cincinnati,  with  Washing- 
ton's signature  as  president  of  the  society.  He  was  in- 
teresting in  conversation. 

"That  aged  lady  in  black?  That  was  Dr.  T.'s  mother. 
She  had  lived  more  than  seventy  years.  She  was  waiting 
her  change,  and  ripening  for  heaven. 

"And  that  interesting  lady,  whose  head  and  hair  were 
naturally  white  as  pure  wool,  and  an  eye  beaming  with 
intelligence?  That  was  the  Dr.'s  ladv;  she  knew  when  to 
speak  and  when  to  keep  silent. 

"Here,  also,  was  Dr.  William  M'Dowell,  late  of  Chili- 
cothe,  at  that  time  in  the  prime  of  life,  a  man  of  most 
dignified  appearance:  his  raven  locks,  hanging  in  ringlets, 
were  beginning  to  be  sprinkled  witli  gray;   and  the  fine 


72  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

Irish  bloom  was  yet  glowing  on  his  cheek.  He  had  been 
a  successful  traveling  preacher,  but  had  retired  from  the 
field  of  toil  and  privation.  This  was  often  a  subject  of 
regret  to  him.  His  amiable  wife  also  was  present,  all  vi- 
vacity of  body  and  mind:  she  had  a  smiling,  talking  eye, 
and  when  she  spoke  it  was  with  wisdom,  and  what  she  said 
was  worth  attention  and  memory. 

"And  this  ruddy  Englishman,  who  looked  as  if  he  was 
always  in  a  good  humor  with  himself  and  every  body  else; 
often  laughed  heartily,  but  not  at  his  own  wit?  That  was 
brother  Mason,  the  watchmaker,  quite  gentlemanly  in  his 
manners.  And  that  meek,  neat  lady,  of  Quaker  appear- 
ance? That  was  sister  Mason.  In  her  we  saw  a  pattern 
of  neatness  and  piety. 

"Here,  too,  was  the  pious  widow  of  Rev.  B.  Talbot. 
While  her  countenance  well  expressed  the  meekness  and 
sweetness  of  resignation,  it  seemed  to  say,  'Pity  me,  pity 
me,  0  ye  my  friends;  for  the  hand  of  the  Lord  hath  touched 
me.'  Sympathies  were  well  expressed  in  those  kind  and 
gentle  attentions  which  are  calculated  to  soothe  and  cheer 
the  bereaved  heart,  and  no  gloom  was  cast  over  the  com- 
pany. 

"And  now  I  must  make  you  acquainted  with  my  col- 
league, the  Rev.  Edward  Matthews,  a  Welshman,  and  not 
long  from  his  native  land,  with  the  fire,  manners,  and  dia- 
lect of  his  country — a  pleasant  and  companionable  man, 
and  zealous  in  the  cause  of  God.  He  was  modest  and  re- 
served; but  Mr.  Asbury  and  the  Virginians  led  him  out, 
and  made  him  feel  at  home. 

"But  it  is  proper  that  I  should  notice  one  other  circum- 
stance, which  added  much  to  the  religious  sociabilities  of 
the  day:  it  was  music — sweet,  spirit-stirring  music.  It 
charmed  the  ear,  and  warmed  the  heart.  We  had  six  or 
eight  intellectual  musical  instruments  in  our  company,  which 
the  Lord  himself  had  strung  and  tuned.     The  Methodists 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QIINN.  73 

used  only  such  in  that  day.     With  these  we  occasionally 

made  melody  in  our  hearts  to  the  Lord.  In  this  exercise 
Dr.  M'Dowell  took  the  lead,  for  he  had  the  best  instrument 
in  the  company,  and  could  use  it  with  skill.  He  sounded 
the  key-note,  all  the  rest  chiming.  0,  it  was  heart-wann- 
ing, soul-animating! 

"The  writer  of  this  reminiscence  was  also  one  of  the 
company.  But  he  was  the  junior  of  all  present;  at  th  i1 
time  a  student  of  the  fourth  year  in  the  Methodist  theolo- 
gical seminary,  which  had  its  establishment  in  all  the 
United  States,  and  a  few  branches  in  the  western  wilds; 
and  a  backwoodsman  withal;  it  behooved  him,  therefore, 
to  be  swift  to  hear  and  slow  to  speak.  But  being  now 
in  'good  company,'  he  resolved  to  take  a  lesson  or  two  on 
good  behavior  and  Christian  politeness,  and  also  gather  a 
few  good  thoughts  on  divinity;  for  in  those  days  he  was 
all  eye  and  ear,  and  constantly  on  the  look-out:  he  was 
studying  man  as  well  as  a  few  good  books.  In  due  time 
we  were  summoned  to  the  dining-room.  Upon  approach- 
ing the  table,  the  Bishop  tuned  his  musical  powers — a 
deep-toned,  yet  mellow  bass — to 

'  Be  present  at  our  table,  Lord, 
Be  here  and  every-where  adored; 
Thy  people  bless,  and  grant  that  we 
May  feast  in  paradise  with  thee.' 

The  blessing  asked,  and  all  were  seated — old  Virginia  for 
all  the  world;  and  for  once  we  partook  of  food;  ate  our 
bread  with  singleness  of  heart;  the  decanters  with  wine  or 
stronger  drink  were  neither  on  the  table  nor  sideboard;  but 
we  had  a  fresh  supply  of  new  wine  just  from  the  kingdom. 
From  the  dining-room  we  returned  to  the  parlor,  and  again 
united  our  musical  powers  in  one  of  the  songs  of  Zion, 
then  bowed  before  the  sprinkled  throne,  and  found  access, 
by  one  spirit,  through  the  one  and  only  Mediator  to  the 
God  of  all  consolation.     The  afternoon  passed  pleasantly 

7 


74  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

and  profitably  away  on  subjects  of  conversation.  We  had 
just  entered  the  nineteenth  century.  Here  were  those  who 
had  lived  and  witnessed  many  of  the  scenes  of  more  than 
half  of  the  eighteenth  century;  the  prophecies  which — in 
whole  or  in  part — in  the  old  and  new  world,  had  been  ful- 
filled, and  what  would  probably  take  place  in  the  fulfillment 
of  prophecy  during  the  century  on  which  we  had  just  en- 
tered. Glorious  things  were  anticipated,  and  we  were 
ready  to  think  that  the  beast  and  the  false  prophet  would 
both  be  overthrown,  and  Satan  bound  and  imprisoned. 
Well,  almost  half  of  that  century  has  passed  away,  and 
these  things  have  not  yet  taken  place;  but  the  Lord  hath 
said  that  he  would  make  a  short  work  in  the  earth;  and 
what  his  mouth  in  truth  hath  said, 

'  His  own  almighty  hand  shall  do.' 
But  the  day  was  now  far  spent,  the  shadows  of  even  were 
lengthening  out,  and  the  time  for  parting  came,  when  all 
met  in  the  parlor,  and  tuned  our  well-strung  instruments 
in  lofty  strains  to 

'  The  Lord  into  his  garden  came, 
The  spices  yield  a  rich  perfume, 
The  lilies  grow  and  thrive,'  etc.; 

and  then  the  parting  prayer  and  benediction  by  Mr.  As- 
bury.  0,  it  was  a  season  not  soon  to  be  forgotten!  it  sa- 
vored of  heaven. 

"  But  forty  years  have  passed  away;  and  here  pausing,  I 
lay  down  the  pen,  and  say,  Where  are  they?  and  hear  the 
echo,  Where  are  they?  Ah,  'time,  like  an  ever-rolling 
stream,'  has  borne  them  all  away,  except  Samuel  Mitchell! 
Yes,  of  that  interesting  company,  that  social  band,  but  one 
remains,  either  to  correct  or  approve  of  this  reminiscence, 
written  by  him  who  was  then  junior,  but  who  now  has  but 
few  seniors  in  any  social  circle  or  association  into  which  he 
may  happen  to  come.  Ah,  could  I  believe  that  I  never 
should  again  enjoy  the  society  of  those  loved  ones,  my 


LIFE  AND  LAIJOKS  OF  JAMES  QULNN.  75 

heart  would  sicken,  and  I  should  be  ready  to  wish  that  I 
had  never  been  born!  but  immortality,  conscious  and  so- 
cial existence,  are  gloriously  brought  to  light,  and  placed 
before  us  in  the  Gospel.  Amen!  halleluiah!  ministers  and 
people  are  to  be  each  other's  joy  and  crown  in  that  day — 
the  day  when  Christ  shall  make  his  jewels  up." 


76  SKETCHES  OF  THE 


CHAPTER    V. 

Attends  conference  at  Baltimore— Ordained  elder — Views  of  his 
ordination  vows — Escapes  a  city  station — Appointed  to  Redstone 
circuit — Reports  to  Bishop  Asbury  his  intention  to  marry — Con- 
versation on  that  subject — Conducted  himself  prudently  toward 
women — Marriage — No  provision  then  made  for  house-rent,  fuel, 
and  table  expenses — Thrown  from  his  horse — Kindness  of  a  young 
woman— After  the  lapse  of  many  years,  does  her  a  kindness— Suc- 
cess in  his  labors — Attends  the  annual  and  General  conferences — 
Views  expressed  by  old  Methodists — Organization  of  the  General 
conference — Solemn  address  of  Bishop  "VYhalcoat — Resolution  to 
review,  and  pass  upon  the  entire  Discipline — Proceeded  accord- 
ingly— Amendment  proposed  to  the  eighth  article — Doctor  Coke's 
speech — Motion  to  amend  withdrawn — Article  on  civil  govern- 
ment — All  American  Churches,  even  Romanists,  should  give  such 
a  pledge  to  the  civil  government — The  necessity  of  a  delegated 
General  conference  argued,  admitted,  but  no  plan  adopted — Re- 
strictive rules — Bish  ops — Presiding  elders — Quarterly  conference — 
General  conference  of  1808. 

At  the  close  of  this  conference  year,  Mr.  Quinn  says, 
"My  probation  of  four  years  is  closed,  and  I  am  going  to 
the  city  of  Baltimore  to  attend  conference,  and  receive  the 
office  of  an  elder — if  my  brethren  shall  judge  me  worthy. 
Ah!  man's  judgment  may  determine  in  my  favor;  but  0, 
let  me  always  remember  that  he  who  judgeth  me  is  the 
Lord!  The  decision  of  the  conference  was  in  my  favor; 
and,  on  the  third  day  of  April,  1803,  in  the  presence  of 
thousands,  assembled  in  Light-street  church,  the  trembling 
backwoodsman  was  called  forth  to  take  the  vows  of  God 
upon  him,  and  received,  by  the  imposition  of  the  hands  of 
the  sainted  Whatcoat,  assisted  by  the  elders,  the  office 
of  an  elder,  accompanied  with  prayer,  that  the  Holy 
Ghost  might  be  poured  upon  him,  to  fit  him  for  the  office 
and  work  then  committed  to  him,  by  the  laying  on  of  the 
hands  of  the  presbytery-  0,  it  was  to  me  a  most  solemn 
season!  and  the  more  so,  perhaps,  as  I  had  to  stand  alone, 


LIFE   AND   LABORS  OF  JAMES  QL'INN.  77 

in  the  presence  of  God,  angels,  and  men — there  being  no 
other  elder  ordained  at  that  conference." 

The  following  shows  how  he  appreciated,  yielded  to, 
and  constantly  kept  in  mind,  his  ordination  vows:  "From 
that  day,  I  saw  the  bridge  by  which  I  might  return  to 
secular  and  worldly  pursuits  cut  oft'  behind  me.  I  have 
been  pressed  by  want,  tempted  with  civil  office,  and  plans 
of  worldly  gain  by  speculation.  But  this  thought — the 
vows  of  God  are  upon  me,  has  kept  me  in  the  work  till 
all  my  seniors,  and  very  many  of  my  juniors,  have  finished 
their  work,  and  retired  to  rest." 

It  appears,  at  this  conference  he  narrowly  escaped  a  city 
station.  Bishop  Asbury,  however,  learned  that  his  mind 
was  set  on  the  west;  and,  cordially  approving  of  his  plan, 
as  a  preparatory  step,  appointed  him  to  Redstone  circuit, 
lying  chiefly  in  the  Alleghany  mountains. 

Before  leaving  Baltimore,  Mr.  Quinn  made  known  to 
Bishop  Asbury  his  intention  to  marry,  with  a  view  to  ob- 
tain his  counsel,  in  so  important  a  matter.  The  marriage 
of  a  minister  is  a  momentous  epoch  in  his  history.  It  is 
not  only  of  great  interest  to  himself,  and  the  loved  one  to 
whom  he  may  propose  his  heart  and  hand,  but  is  of  much 
interest  to  the  ministry  and  membership  of  the  Church  to 
which  he  belongs;  hence,  the  propriety  of  that  rule: 
"Take  no  step  toward  marriage,  without  first  consulting 
with  your  brethren."  The  interview  with  the  Bishop  re- 
sulted in  the  following  dialogue.  The  Bishop  first  pleas- 
antly inquired,  "How  old  are  you?"  "In  my  twentieth 
year."  "That  is  the  proper  age  for  a  Methodist  preacher 
to  take  that  important  step.  How  long  have  you  been  in 
the  work?"  "Four  years."  "Then  you  have  elder's 
orders?"  "Yes,  sir."  "All  this  is  proper.  When  men 
enter  their  probation,  they  have  ministerial  characters  to 
form,  and  ministerial  talents  to  exhibit,  to  the  satisfaction 
of  the  Church.  Prudence  says,  that  they  ought  to  form 
7* 


78  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

that  character,  and  exhibit  those  talents,  before  they  take 
that  important  step.  But  few  novices  have  ministerial 
weight  sufficient  to  justify  them  in  bringing  the  expense 
of  a  wife  and  family  on  the  Church.  The  people  will  feel, 
and  they  will  make  the  men  feel;  and  the  dear  sister  of 
sixteen  will  feel,  too.  Besides,  in  green  age,  men  do  not 
always  select  such  women  as  the  apostle  says  the  wives 
of  deacons  and  elders  must  be — such  as  may  be  whole- 
some examples  for  the  flock  of  Christ. 

"Well,  how  now?— locate?" 

"No,  sir;  that  is  not  my  intention." 

"Very  well;  I  should  suppose  your  call  was  not  out. 
Some  men  marry  fortunes,  and  go  to  take  care  of  them; 
some  men  marry  wives,  and  go  to  make  fortunes  for  them; 
and  thus,  when,  for  the  time,  we  should  have  age  and  ex- 
perience in  the  jninistry,  we  have  youth  and  inexperience; 
and  such  have  charge — this,  not  of  choice,  but  necessity. 
We  must  do  the  best  we  can." 

Soon  after  this  conversation  with  Bishop  Asbury,  Mr. 
Quinn  left  Baltimore  for  the  field  of  labor  assigned  him. 
We  have  ample  evidence  that  Mr.  Quinn' s  conduct  toward 
females  Avas  always  marked  with  prudence,  well  becoming 
the  character  of  a  Christian  and  the  dignity  of  a  minister. 
And  when  he  considered  it  his  duty  to  enter  into  the  holy 
and  honorable  estate  of  matrimony,  he  did  it,  not  only 
advisedly,  but  reverently,  discreetly,  and  in  the  fear  of 
God.  On  the  first  day  of  May,  1803,  he  and  Patience 
Teal  were  united  in  marriage,  in  a  Christian  manner — their 
presiding  elder,  Rev.  Thornton  Fleming,  performing  the 
solemn  service.  Miss  Teal,  who  was  a  pious  young  woman, 
and  a  member  of  the  same  Church,  was  considered  a  very 
suitable  helpmate  for  Mr.  Quinn;  and,  it  appeared,  she 
made  him  an  excellent  wife.  She  was  the  daughter  of 
Edward  and  Sarah  Teal,  who  removed  from  the  neigh- 
borhood of   Baltimore,  where    they  were  converted  and 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUI  NX.  79 

Methodized  under  the  ministry  of  Asbury,  before  the 
Revolution.  Their  beloved  Patience  experienced  religion 
under  the  ministry  of  Valentine  Cook,  when  presiding 
elder  in  the  west,  in  1796. 

At  the  time  of  Mr.  Quinn's  marriage,  no  provision  had 
been  made,  officially,  in  the  Church  to  meet  the  house- 
rent,  fuel,  and  table  expenses  of  married  preachers,  and 
it  is  presumable  that  Mrs.  Quinn  Avas  accommodated  with 
a  home  in  her  father's  house  for  the  principal  part  of  this 
conference  year,  while  Mr.  Quinn  traveled  round  and  per- 
formed the  labors  of  his  extensive  circuit. 

It  was,  perhaps,  during  this  year  that  Mr.  Quinn,  in 
one  of  those  rugged  mountain  roads,  was  thrown  from  his 
frightened  horse,  and,  his  head  coming:  in  contact  with  a 
stone,  he  was  much  hurt,  and  rendered  insensible  for  a 
time.  His  horse  ran  back  to  the  house  that  he  had  just 
passed;  and  a  young  woman,  supposing  some  one  was  badly 
hurt,  after  securing  the  horse,  took  a  bottle  of  the  spirits 
of  camphor,  and  w^ent  in  search  of  the  rider.  She  soon 
came  to  where  he  was  lying;  and  having  wiped  the  blood 
from  his  head,  she  applied  the  camphor,  and  bound  it  up, 
and  helped  him  back  to  the  house;  and  after  resting  a  few 
hours,  he  was  able  to  go  on  his  way.  About  thirty  years 
after  this  occurrence,  he  was  traveling  through  the  same 
region,  and  passed  a  house,  where  he  sawr  a  horse  standing 
with  a  lady's  saddle  on.  He  had  traveled  but  a  few  hun- 
dred yards  before  he  heard  the  horse  coming  very  swiftly 
behind  him.  He  caught  the  horse,  and  led  him  back, 
and  soon  met  the  lady  who  was  thrown.  She  reported 
herself  but  little  hurt;  and  thought  she  recognized  him 
as  the  stranger  she  once  relieved  in  distress.  She  inquired 
if  he  remembered,  many  years  ago,  of  being  thrown  from 
his  horse,  and  of  a  young  woman's  binding  up  his  head, 
and  helping  him  back  to  the  house.  He  said  he  remem- 
bered it  very  well.     Then  said  she,  "I  am  that  young 


80  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

woman,  whom  you  have  had  an  opportunity  of  doing  a 
kindness,  in  return,  after  the  lapse  of  so  many  years." 
The  reader  may  well  think  this  a  remarkable  coinci- 
dence; yet  it  is  believed  that  many  somewhat  similar  are 
often  developed  in  the  providence  of  God;  and  although 
they  may  be  scarcely  noticed  by  the  persons  concerned, 
and  never  recorded  on  the  pages  of  history,  yet  we  are 
assured  the  light  of  the  day  appointed  to  judge  the  world 
will  exhibit  them  most  strikingly  to  view,  as  "the  wheel 
within  a  wheel."  We  should  learn  from  this  to  do  good 
to  all  that  need  our  help,  for  we  know  not  how  soon  our 
necessities  may  require  similar  aid  and  relief. 

Thomas  Budd  was  associated  with  Mr.  Quinn  on  Red- 
stone circuit  this  year,  and  we  have  grounds  to  believe 
that  their  labors  were  abundantly  successful;  for,  not- 
withstanding the  many  removals,  by  certificate,  to  the 
then  young  and  popular  state  of  Ohio,  they  reported  a 
net  increase  in  the  membership  of  the  circuit  of  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty-two.  At  the  close  of  this  conference  year, 
Mr.  Quinn  attended  the  annual  conference,  held  at  Alex- 
andria, on  the  27th  of  April;  and  as  all  elders  were,  at 
that  time,  eligible  to  a  seat  in  the  General  conference,  he 
attended  the  session  of  that  body  in  Baltimore,  on  the 
6th  of  May.  The  account  of  that  important  session  of 
the  General  conference — the  last  that  Bishop  Coke  ever 
attended — is  given  in  Mr.  Quinn' s  own  language: 

"Having  traveled  five  full  calendar  years,  from  the 
time  I  was  admitted  on  trial  by  the  Baltimore  annual 
conference,  I  resolved  on  attending  the  General  conference, 
in  order  that  I  might  see,  hear,  and  learn  something  that 
might  be  useful  to  me.  My  mind  had  been  somewhat 
prepared  by  an  acquaintance  and  frequent  conversations 
with  intelligent  and  close-thinking  men,  who  had  been 
members  of  the  United  Societies,  previous  to  the  American 
Revolution,   when    they   were   without    Church  order  or 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  81 

Gospel  ordinances.  Said  one  of  these — William  Hamil- 
ton, father  of  our  Samuel,  'I  am  pleased  with  our  ec- 
clesiastical economy;  but  good  as  it  is,  it  is  yet  insecure. 
When,'  said  he,  'we  were  a  society  without  Church  order 
and  the  sacraments,  we  felt  the  want  of  both,  but  waited, 
committing  our  cause  to  the  great  Head  of  the  Church, 
till  Providence  opened  the  way,  by  securing  to  us  our 
national  independence,  as  the  result  of  the  Revolution. 
During  this  period,  Asbury,  Waters,  and  others,  were 
with  us,  watching  over  and  feeding  the  flock,  till  the  din 
of  war  had  ceased,  and  the  thunder  of  artillery  was  heard 
no  more.  We  then  called  on  Mr.  Wesley,  by  petition,  to 
take  such  measures  as,  in  his  wisdom,  he  might  judge 
most  proper,  so  as  to  provide  for  his  societies  in  America, 
that  they  might  have  Church  order,  ordained  ministers, 
and  the  sacraments  duly  administered.  That  great  and 
good  man  made  no  delay,  but  sent  us  regularly-ordained 
ministers,  with  the  Episcopal  form  of  Church  government, 
and  the  ordinances  in  their  hands — with  the  forms  of 
service,  administration  of  sacraments,  ordination,  articles  of 
faith,  and  terms  of  communion.  This  plan  he  preferred, 
and  we  approved  and  joyfully  received,  both  preachers 
and  people,  with  the  exception  of  Messrs.  Pillmore  and 
Streebeck,  among  the  preachers,  and  of  the  people,  a  part 
of  the  society  in  the  city  of  New  York.  And  these  ob- 
jected, not  because  they  were  opposed  to  the  Episcopal 
form  of  Church  government,  but,  being  High  Churchmen 
in  their  views,  they  doubted  the  right  of  presbyters  to 
ordain,  which  was  the  ground  taken  by  Mr.  Wesley,  in 
the  course  which  he  pursued  in  making  provision  for  the 
societies  in  America,  judging  that  the  urgency  of  the 
case  was  a  sufficient  justification  of  the  measure.  Since 
that  period,'  continued  that  intelligent  man — and  the  same 
news  and  sentiments  were  expressed  by  others,  'matters 
have  gone  on  well,  and  the  Church  has  greatly  prospered. 


82  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

But  this  system  is  not  sufficiently  guarded.  The  powers 
of  the  General  conference  are  undefined  and  unlimited;  so 
that  every  thing  is  in  their  power — articles  of  faith,  terms 
of  communion,  right  of  trial  and  appeal,  form  of  govern- 
ment, etc.,  all — all  in  their  power.  A  remedy  ought  to  be 
applied;  and  let  the  General  conference  see  to  this  matter. 
Let  them  see  to  it,  while  the  fathers  of  the  Church,  and 
the  framers  of  the  Discipline,  are  yet  with  us.  The  ma- 
terials are  all  there — in  the  Book  of  Discipline.  Let  the 
whole  be  reviewed,  properly  arranged,  well  defined,  and 
securely  guarded,  by  proper  checks,  so  that  the  General 
conference  shall  not  have  power  to  change  or  alter  at 
will.'  Such  were  the  views  and  sentiments  of  intelligent 
men,  both  preachers  and  people,  at  the  beginning  of  the 
nineteenth  century,  who  had  been  members  first  of  the 
United  Societies,  and  then  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

"At  length,  the  6th  of  May,  1804,  rolled  round.  Dr. 
Coke,  from  England,  had  landed;  and  the  preachers 
came  from  the  east,  the  north,  the  south,  and  three  or  four 
from  the  far  west,  and  sat  down  together  in  Light-street 
church,  in  the  city  of  Baltimore.  Dr.  Coke,  as  senior  m 
office,  took  the  chair.  A  secretary — John  Wilson — was 
nominated  and  elected.  The  names  of  the  preachers  were 
then  enrolled  by  conferences — then  seven  in  number. 
Thus,  in  short  order,  the  conference  was  organized,  and 
ready  for  business;  for,  in  those  days,  we  were  not  so  strictly 
parliamentary  as  now.  We  had,  however,  a  few  by-laws, 
but  took  them  all  from  the  divinely-inspired  volume,  and 
not  from  Jefferson's  Manual.  After  reading  the  Scriptures, 
and  prayer  by  the  president,  that  holy  man  of  God,  Bishop 
Whatcoat,  rising,  said,  '  Brethren,  remember  where  you 
are,  in  the  immediate  presence  of  God;  what  you  are, 
ministers  of  Christ;  the  interests  with  which  you  are  in- 
trusted, and  the  responsibility  in  which  you  are  involved, 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUIN.N.  83 

and  act  accordingly.  0,  let  your  eye  be  single!'  etc. 
This  came  with  an  exceedingly-good  grace  from  Bishop 
Whatcoat;  for,  although  junior  in  office,  he  was  senior  in 
years,  both  as  a  man  and  minister;  and  a  holier  man 
never  filled  the  episcopal  chair  among  us.  All  things 
being  now  in  readiness,  after  a  short  pause,  George  Rob- 
erts rose  in  his  place,  and  offered  the  following  resolution 
for  the  adoption  of  the  conference: 

"'Resolved,  That  the  conference  now  proceed  to  review 
and  revise  the  Book  of  Discipline,  reading  and  passing  the 
whole,  chapter  by  chapter,  section  by  section,  and  para- 
graph by  paragraph.' 

"This,  in  view  of  the  sentiments  often  expressed  by 
some  of  the  most  intelligent  of  our  people,  as  given  above, 
was  rather  startling  to  my  mind,  and  I  thought  within 
myself,  Well,  now,  here  it  comes;  'all  in  the  power  of  the 
General  conference,'  sure  enough!  Well,  this  is  serious 
business,  indeed,  and  such  we  may  find  it,  ere  we  have 
done  with  it.  I  prayed,  'Great  Head  of  the  Church, 
guide  our  heads  and  hearts — keep  us  from  doing  wrong, 
and  help  us  to  do  right.'  But,  before  I  had  fully  recov- 
ered from  my  panic,  and  the  train  of  thought  w^hich  fol- 
lowed, the  resolution  had  passed  the  conference,  and  the 
Doctor  wras  on  his  feet  to  read;  for  no  time  was  to  be  lost, 
where  he  was  concerned.  The  first  section  of  the  first 
chapter  was  read  most  emphatically.  This  is  historical  in 
its  character;  and  although  twenty  years  had  elapsed 
since  the  facts  therein  recorded  had  transpired,  yet  the 
men  were  still  living,  and  then  on  the  floor,  who  had  been 
the  eye  and  ear  witnesses,  and  actors,  throughout  the 
whole  transaction.  Not  only  were  the  Englishmen — Coke, 
Asbury,  and  Whatcoat  present,  but  the  Americans — Wa- 
ters, Garretson,  Willis,  Ware,  and  Cooper  were  there;  so 
that  had  there  been  a  misrepresentation,  either  of  facts, 
sentiment*,  or  views  in  the  case,  then  and  there  was  the 


84  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

time  and  place  for  detection  and  correction;  but  no  excep- 
tions were  taken,  and  the  vote  being  called  for,  the  section 
passed.  The  second  section,  containing  the  articles  of 
religion,  was  then  taken  up,  read,  and  passed  without 
note  or  comment,  till  the  eighth  article  was  read;  when 
one  rose  in  his  place,  and  moved  to  amend  the  article  by 
striking  out  the  word  preventing,  and  inserting  in  its  place 
the  word  assisting.  At  this  motion  sprung  Dr.  Coke, 
and,  advancing  to  the  front  of  the  altar,  he  gave,  as  I 
then  thought,  the  most  lucid  exposition  of  the  article  that 
I  had  ever  heard  or  read.  'This,'  said  the  Doctor, 
'would  not  be  to  mend,  but  to  mar  it — yea,  utterly  ruin 
the  article,  and  accommodate  it  to  every  Pelagian  in  Eu- 
rope and  America.  The  article,  as  it  now  stands,  fully 
expresses  and  maintains  a  great  and  leading  truth — that  is, 
that  mere  human  ability,  apart  from  grace,  can  not  accom- 
plish any  thing  to  purpose;  that,  therefore,  grace  is  always 
beforehand  with  volition,  in  turning  to  faith,  calling  upon 
God,  and  doing  good  works;  and  though  it  is  true  the 
Westminster  divines  teach  that  man  hath  a  will  that  is 
naturally  free,  yet  Mr.  Wesley  says,  "Man  hath  this  free- 
dom* of  will,  not  by  nature,  but  by  grace;"  and  this  is  the 
doctrine  of  the  article — the  grace  of  God,  by  Christ,  pre- 
venting us,  that  we  may  have  a  good  will — a  Divine  influ- 
ence, pre-occupying  and  going  before  us  as  a  guide,  so 
that  it  is  God  working  in  us,  to  will  and  to  do,  etc.  But, 
change  the  article  as  proposed,  and  then  the  doctrine  will 
be,  that  mere  human  ability  can  do  something — yea, 
much,  without  grace;  but,  being  somewhat  enfeebled  by 
the  fall,  it  stands  in  need  of  some  help,  and  so  grace  is 
brought  in  to  assist  human  exertion,  and  made  a  mere 
auxiliary  in  turning  to  faith,  calling  upon  God,  and  in 
doino-  pood  works.  This  would  seem  to  give  to  Christ — 
and  grace  by  him — the  honor  of  being  the  finisher,  but 
not  the   author  of  faith,'  etc.      This   exposition,   by  the 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QTIW.  86 

Doctor,  put  the  subject  to  rest.  The  good  brother  then 
withdrew  his  motion,  offered  an  apology,  and  on  we  went, 
till  we  cam.-  to  the  twenty-third  article,  which  embraces 
the  subject  of  civil  government.  What,  the  subject  of 
civil  government  made  an  article  of  religious  faith?  Truly, 
and  why  not?  Did  not  the  author  of  our  holy  religion 
pay  tribute,  thus  supporting  the  government  under  which, 
as  a  man,  he  lived:  at  the  same  time  enjoining  it  on  the 
people,  to  render  unto  Caesar  the  things  that  are  his? 
And  does  not  the  great  apostle  of  the  Gentiles  teach  and 
enforce  the  same  doctrine?  Well,  then,  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  has  an  article  of  faith  on  the  subject  of 
civil  government;  and  this  great  republic  has  a  pledge  of 
faith  from  every  member  of  that  community,  to  submit  to 
and  support  that  form  of  government  which  is  embraced 
and  set  forth  in  the  article  of  faith,  to  which  he  has  sub- 
scribed in  becoming  a  member  of  that  community.  Let 
statesmen  examine  the  article.  This  has  been  done,  and 
no  defect  has  been  detected.  Let  ecclesiastics  examine 
the  article,  and  say  if  this  is  not  as  it  should  be;  and  at 
the  same  time  inquire  whether  any  good  reason  can  be 
given  why  every  American  Church  should  not  voluntarily 
give  the  same  pledge  to  the  government  which  protects, 
not  only  their  persons  and  property,  but,  also,  their  civil 
and  religious  privileges,  extending  to  all  equal  rights?  If 
even  the  Catholics  would  give  such  a  pledge!  And  why 
should  they  not?  Many  of  them  are  home-born  and  free- 
born  Americans,  and  their  fathers  were  the  first  to  estab- 
lish a  colonial  government,  without  a  Maryland  religious 
test,  on  this  great  continent.  Let  them  act  worthily  of  their 
fathers — yea,  let  even  His  Holiness,  the  pretended  succes- 
sor of  Peter,  at  Rome,  give  his  approbation  to  such  a 
pledge.  You  smile.  Well,  I  don't  expect  that  such  a 
pledge  will  be  given,  either  with  or  without  his  consent, 
yet  who  will    say   that    such    a    measure   would   not  be 

P. 


86  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

prudent,  as  it  might  inspire  confidence,  and  secure  tran- 
quillity to  the  public  mind,  for  some  have  great  fears?  I 
am  not,  however,  of  the  number.  But  to  return  to  the 
article — purely  American,  both  as  to  production  and  sen- 
timent: it  had  been  framed  by  the  fathers  of  the  Church 
before  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  had  been 
framed;  hence,  it  was  agreed  to  amend  the  article  by  strik- 
ing out  the  words,  act  of  confederation — under  which  the 
union  of  the  states  had  existed — and  insert  the  word  consti- 
tution in  their  place.  This  was  done  under  standingly ,  and 
without  a  dissenting  voice. 

''The  third  section  was  then  taken  up  and  calmly  con- 
sidered. The  clearest  heads,  or  those  possessed  of  the 
strongest  powers  of  investigation,  came  forth,  and  showed 
clearly  that  the  General  conference  ought  to  be  consti- 
tuted on  the  plan  of  an  equalized  representation,  accord- 
ing to  a  proper  ratio,  with  delegated  powers,  properly 
defined  and  restricted;  and  it  was  my  conviction  that  the 
sentiment  generally  prevailed;  but  as  no  plan  had  been 
matured,  nothing  decisive  was  done,  and  the  powers  of 
the  General  and  annual  conferences  remained  as  they  had 
been  from  the  beo-innin^.  Thus,  it  was  left  for  the  Gen- 
eral  conference  of  1808  to  perfect  the  plan  which  had 
been  suggested  by  the  views  on  the  subject,  as  expressed 
in  the  General  conference  of  1804.  The  doings  of  these 
two  conferences  form  a  very  important  epoch  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  Methodist  Church.  Indeed,  I  have  thought 
that  but  for  those  six  shall  nots,  limiting  the  powers  of 
the  delegated  body,  we  should  have  long  since  been  out 
at  sea,  without  compass,  pilot,  or  helmsman.  We  have 
often  found  them  very  useful  in  General  conference.  A 
brother  once,  finding  himself  a  little  embarrassed  in  his 
legislative  course,  by  constitutional  restriction  and  con- 
struction, exclaimed,  with  some  warmth,  'Methodism  has 
been  significantly  called  the  child  of  Providence,  but  now 


LIFE  AM)  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  87 

it  appears  we  have  so  hooped  it  up  as  to  have  left  no 
room  for  growth,  or  even  respiration;'  but  the  same 
brother,  with  many  others,  has  since  found  it  expedient 
and  convenient,  too,  to  plead  constitutional  restriction. 
Upon  the  whole,  having  had  a  seat  in  seven  General  con- 
ferences, I  am  firmly  settled  in  the  opinion,  that  this  matter 
is  as  it  should  be,  and  that  an  ample  remedy  has  been 
found  against  the  instability  and  uncertainty  connected 
with  our  ecclesiastical  economy  in  by-gone  days. 

"Next  came  on  the  fourth  section,  respecting  the  bishops 
and  their  duty;  and  every  question  and  answer  was  read, 
weighed,  and  passed,  without  any  motion  to  amend  or 
alter,  till  we  reached  the  second  answTer  to  the  third  ques- 
tion, when  up  rose  George  Dougherty,  and  moved  to 
amend  the  answer  by  inserting  the  following  words: 
'Provided  he  shall  not  allow  any  preacher  to  remain  in 
the  same  station  for  more  than  two  years  successively, 
except/  etc. 

"This  motion  wras  strongly  opposed  by  strong  men,  but 
it  went  through  by  a  large  majority.  Mr.  Asbury,  some 
years  after,  in  reference  to  this  regulation,  pleasantly  re- 
marked, 'I  said  nothing  in  conference;  but  Frank  told 
Asbury,  "That  will  save  you  from  some  trouble;  besides,  it 
will  guard  against  locality;  and  the  preachers  have  done 
it  themselves;  but  let  them  take  care  not  to  throw  in  too 
many  exceptions."  ' 

"But  now  for  the  fifth  section — presiding  elders,  and 
their  duty.  0,  well,  what  do  you  think?  It  was  moved 
to  strike  the  whole  section  from  the  book!  This,  however, 
only  led  to  a  full  and  able  investigation  of  the  subject,  in 
which  the  best  talents  of  the  conference  were  called  forth, 
and  the  subject  viewed  in  all  its  bearings.  The  result 
was,  that  only  one  amendment  was  effected,  and  that  was, 
throwing  the  words,  'and  none  else,'  into  the  fifth  answer 
to  the  second  question. 


88  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

"  This  regulation  clothes  the  quarterly  meeting  confer- 
ence of  each  circuit  and  station  with  judiciary  power,  and 
guards  against  the  interference  of  interested  members  of 
neighboring  circuits  and  stations,  who,  by  taking  part  in 
the  discussions,  might  control  the  decisions  of  the  quarterly 
meeting  conferences,  in  cases  where  they  only  have  cogni- 
zance. The  presiding  elder,  as  chairman,  preserves  order, 
and  settles  questions  of  order,  but  not  of  law,  apart  from 
the  court  over  which  he  presides. 

"In  this  sketch  it  has  not  been  my  intention  to  go  into 
all  the  details,  but  to  give  a  general  view  of  the  course 
pursued  by  the  conference  in  reviewing  and  revising  the 
book  of  Discipline — directing  the  attention  to  some,  only, 
of  the  most  important  points  in  our  economy,  which  occu- 
pied the  attention  of  the  conference  of  1804.  The  fathers 
were  then  with  us,  and  gave  their  decided  approbation 
to  the  course  pursued  by  the  conference ;  and  most  of 
them  lived  to  see  the  doings  of  that  conference — perfective 
of  the  doings  of  all  preceding  General  conferences — se- 
cured by  the  General  conference  of  1808,  in  constituting 
a  General  conference  on  the  plan  of  an  equalized  delega- 
tion, with  powers  well  denned,  properly  restricted,  and 
securely  guarded.  No  new  articles,  or  standards  of 
faith — no  alteration  in  the  old — no  new  terms  of  com- 
munion, or  alteration  in  the  old — no  infringement  upon 
the  right  of  trial  and  appeal,  as  secured  both  to  the  mem- 
bership and  ministry,  can  be  effected  by  the  General  con- 
ference, while  the  general  itinerant  superintendence/,  with 
well-defined  powers  and  responsibilities,  is  judiciously 
guarded.  And  the  whole  is  a  standing  monument  of  the 
intelligence  and  religious  integrity  of  the  men.  But  the 
fathers — where  are  they?  They  rest  from  their  labors, 
and  their  record  is  on  high.  The  same  may  be  said  of 
most  of  the  elder  brethren  in  our  Israel. 

"Before  I  close  this  sketch,  I  would  remark,  that  no 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUITO?.  89 

chapter,  section,  or  paragraph  was  lightly  passed  over; 
but  the  book  was  seriously,  carefully,  and  even  critically 
examined,  weighed,  and  passed,  as  no  doubt  the  journal 
of  that  conference  would  show.  The  business,  having 
been  brought  nearly  to  a  close,  I  obtained  leave  of  absence, 
and  started  alone  for  the  far  west,  little  thinking  that  I 
should  live  to  see  the  General  conference  cross  the  Alle- 
ghany Mountains  once,  and  on  its  way  a  second  time." 

At  the  time  this  was  written — 1835 — the  General  con- 
ference had  been  held  in  Pittsburg  once,  and  was  then 
appointed  at  Cincinnati. 

8* 


90  SKETCHES  OF  THE 


CHAPTER  VI. 

His  father-in-law  and  he  remove  to  the  west — His  cabin — attends 
conference — Appointed  to  Hockhocking — Size  of  his  circuit — 
Long  from  home — His  first-born — Contrast — Disposition  of  the 
aged — Cakes  of  fine  flour  a  great  rarity — Visit  of  Bishop  What- 
coat — Returned  to  the  same  circuit — Some  success — Appointed  to 
Scioto  circuit — Farther  from  home — Visits  his  family  but  seldom, 
and  that  with  great  labor — Furnishes  the  sacrament  to  his  charge — 
A  great  change — An  instance  of  usefulness — Meets  an  immigrant 
in  the  woods — Lodges  with  him — Mrs.  Jane  Trimble — Thrilling 
incident — Locates — Suffers  great  distress  of  mind — Embarrassed 
in  his  temporal  affairs — Consents  that  Bishop  Asbury  might  present 
him  to  the  conference  for  readmission. 

Some  time  early  in  the  year  1804  Mr.  Edward  Teal  re- 
moved to  Ohio,  and  settled  in  Fairfield  county.  At  the 
close  of  Mr.  Quinn's  term  of  service  on  Redstone,  being 
transferred  to  the  Western  conference,  he  removed  his  wife 
into  the  vicinity  of  his  father-in-law's.  Here  he  built  a  small 
cabin,  just  sufficient  to  contain  their  little  plain  furniture. 
Its  dimensions  were  not  more,  perhaps,  than  twelve  feet  by 
fourteen.  Soon  after  fitting  up  this  humble  habitation  for 
his  wife,  he  left  to  attend  the  conference,  which  was  held 
at  Mount  Gerrizim  Church,  near  Cynthiana,  Ky.,  October 
2,  1804.  Bishops  Asbury  and  Whatcoat  both  failed  to 
reach  the  seat  of  the  conference,  on  account  of  affliction, 
and  William  M'Kendree  was  elected  to  preside  over  their 
deliberations.  They  occupied  an  upper  room  in  the  house 
of  Mr.  Coleman,  who  was  a  true  friend  to  the  Church. 
Mr.  Quinn  says, »"I  never  attended  a  conference  where 
more  of  the  Divine  presence  Avas  realized."  At  this  ses- 
sion thirty-seven  preachers  were  stationed,  and  James 
Quinn  and  John  Meek  were  appointed  to  Hockhocking. 
This  circuit  embraced  a  vast  territory:  not  only  the  valley 
of  the  stream  by  that  name,  but  the  settlements  on  the 
Muskingum,  and  on  the  Scioto  from  the  high  bank  below 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  91 

Chilicothe  up  to  the  neighborhood  where  Columbus  now 
stands,  and  the  settlements  on  many  other  streams.  In 
attending  to  his  work  at  those  distant  points,  he  had  of 
necessity  to  be  a  great  deal  from  home,  and  was  often  com- 
pelled to  leave  his  wife  with  no  other  company  than  that 
of  a  little  niece,  when  he  knew  her  visitors  would  likely  be 
more  frequently  Indians  than  white  persons.  He  however 
committed  her  to  God,  as  to  a  faithful  Creator,  and  she  put 
her  trust  in  the  Lord  Jehovah,  and  all  was  safe. 

This  humble  cabin  was  the  birthplace  of  their  first-born. 
In  later  years,  when  visiting  that  daughter,  now  Mrs. 
Clark,  of  Chilicothe,  he  seemed  to  take  much  pleasure  in 
describing  to  her  friends  the  size  of  the  cabin,  and  the  little 
furniture  it  contained,  in  contrast  with  her  present  spacious 
and  convenient  dwelling,  and  other  favorable  circumstances, 
and  would  always  close  by  saying,  "I  hope  my  Sarah  will 
never  become  ashamed  of  her  humble  birth."  Near  the 
close  of  life  he  seemed  to  have  special  delight  in  relating 
the  circumstances  of  his  privations,  hard  labors,  and  con- 
sequent suffering,  like  the  old  mariner,  who  never  descants 
on  the  clear  sky  and  smooth  sea,  but  always  talks  of  the 
storms  and  other  perils  of  the  deep,  or  like  the  old  soldier, 
who  delights  to  tell  of  the  hardships  of  his  campaign,  and 
show  his  scars.  Tales  of  woe  are  softly  pleasing,  though 
they  may  sadden  the  soul ! 

I  have  heard  him  say  that  the  first  wheat  flour  they  ever 
had  in  their  house,  and  which  was  some  time  after  they 
removed  to  Ohio,  he  brought  home  on  his  horse  from  a 
distance  of  more  than  forty  miles.  It  formed  a  matter  of 
some  interest,  and  when  his  generous  wife  had  taken  of 
the  fine  flour  and  baked  many  "cakes,"  so  uncommon  in 
that  region,  she  had  several  invited  guests  present  to  par- 
ticipate with  them  in  the  great  rarity. 

Methodists  at  this  time  in  the  new  state  were  few  and 
far  between.     The  congregations  were  small:  but  it  was 


92  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

just  and  right  that  the  few  should  be  cared  for,  and  min- 
istered unto.  The  minutes  show  a  net  increase  this  year 
of  one  hundred  and  fifty-eight. 

It  must  have  been  very  cheering  and  encouraging,  during 
this  year,  for  Mr.  Quinn  to  receive  a  visit  from  his  old 
friend  and  superintendent,  Bishop  Whatcoat.  He  says  he 
"entered  my  old  Hockhocking  circuit  at  Zanesville,  and 
passed  out  at  Chilicothe.  I  had  the  honor  of  accompany- 
ing him  through,  and  hearing  three  more  most  precious 
sermons  from  him.  I  never  shall  forget  the  sweet  and 
heavenly  smile  with  which  he  met  me.  While  holding  my 
hand  he  said,  '  Well,  I  first  found  thy  footsteps  on  the  lake 
shore,  in  1801;  next  I  found  thee  in  Winchester,  Va.,  in 
1802;  then  met  thee  at  the  altar,  in  Light-street,  Balti- 
more, in  1803;  and  now  I  find  thee  here.  Well,  we  must 
endure  hardships  as  good  soldiers  of  the  cross  of  Christ. 
The  toils  and  privations  of  itineracy  are  great;  but  Christ 
has  said,  "Lo,  lam  with  you  always,  to  the  end  of  the 
world."  '  " 

In  1805  Mr.  Quinn  was  returned  to  the  same  circuit, 
having  Joseph  Williams  associated  with  him.  This  year, 
we  infer,  was  spent  as  the  past,  in  labor  and  suffering, 
sweetened  and.  sanctified  by  the  Divine  presence  and  bless- 
ing, and  accompanied  with  some  success  in  the  great  work 
of  winning  souls  to  Christ,  and  in  building  up  the  cause  of 
the  Redeemer.  The  minutes  show  a  net  increase  of  one 
hundred  and  fifty-three. 

In  1 805  he  was  appointed  to  Scioto  circuit,  having  Peter 
Cartwright  for  his  colleague.  This  circuit  embraced  a  ter- 
ritory nearly  as  large  as  Hockhocking,  of  the  scattered 
population  of  the  new  country,  principally  on  the  west 
side  of  the  Scioto  river.  This  circuit  was  much  more  dis- 
tant from  his  residence,  and  therefore  required  him  to  be 
nearly  all  the  time  from  home. 

Having  twenty-eight  or  thirty-one  appointments  to  fill 


LIFE  AM)   LABORS  OK  JAME8  Q1  INN.  03 

every  four  weeks,  he  could  visit  his  family  only  once  every 
round,  spending  two  days  with  them,  which  he  redeemed, 
by  preaching  twice  a  day  lor  nearly  a  week.  As  it  was 
fifty  miles  from  his  circuit  to  his  residence,  every  time  he 
visited  his  family  required  one  hundred  miles  extra  trav- 
eling, and  that  often  over  a  very  bad  road.  Under  these 
trying  circumstances,  there  being  no  provision  made  for 
the  expenses  of  his  family,  and  not  receiving  all  his  claim 
for  quarterage  which  the  Discipline  allowed  him,  who  will 
be  surprised  to  learn  that  he  was  tempted  to  locate  this 
year,  and  that  he  yielded  to  it?  He  w^as,  however,  faith- 
ful, and  performed  all  the  duties  of  an  itinerant  preacher 
punctually  throughout  this  conference  year,  and  had  some 
success.  He  fed  the  flock  of  Christ  in  the  wilderness, 
and,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  added  to  their  number  many 
who  will,  no  doubt,  be  eternally  saved.  He  furnished  the 
sacraments  of  our  holy  Christianity  statedly  and  regularly 
to  the  scattered  people  of  his  charge.  He  has  informed 
me,  that  during  the  round  on  this  circuit  he  designed  to 
administer  the  Lord's  supper.  Having  duly  notified  the 
friends  of  Jesus,  the  disciples  of  the  Savior,  of  his  inten- 
tion, he  would  procure  a  small  bottle  of  wine  in  Chilicothe, 
and  carry  it  in  his  saddle-bags;  and  that  small  quantity 
was  sufficient  to  supply  his  entire  charge  with  the  holy 
communion.  What  a  wonderful  change  has  taken  place 
in  the  territory  of  old  Scioto  circuit!  Log-cabins  served 
the  pioneers  of  Methodism  as  preaching-places.  Now  we 
have  many  large,  convenient,  and  durable  churches  erected 
and  consecrated  to  the  use  of  the  vast  multitudes  who 
worship  God  in  them;  and  wdiere  we  had  one  member  of 
the  Church  then,  we  now  have  more  than  one  hundred. 
Our  churches  are  often  crowded  at  quarterly  love-feasts. 
It  was  early  in  this  conference  year  that  Mr.  Quinn  met, 
at  a  friend's  house,  a  number  of  ii'entlemen  from  Virginia, 
mostly  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  who 


94  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

were  exploring-  the  new  country  in  search  of  a  permanent 
home.  It  did  not  require  long  for  him  to  make  their 
acquaintance,  and  understand  their  object  and  wishes;  and 
such  was  his  penetration  that  he  seemed  quickly  to  ascer- 
tain the  mind  of  each,  and  the  peculiar  discouragements 
and  trials  they  endured.  One  of  them— W.  Maddox,  who 
is  still  living  to  testify  to  these  things — said  the  picture  his 
imagination  had  formed  of  the  state  of  Ohio  had  not  been 
realized  in  actual  observation,  and  in  his  disappointment 
he  was,  at  the  time  of  this  interview,  greatly  depressed 
and  troubled,  and  was  in  doubt  whether  he  could  make  a 
satisfactory  location  at  all.  Mr.  Quinn  imparted  to  him 
and  his  companions  all  the  information  in  his  power,  and 
applied  to  them  many  words  of  encouragement  and  com- 
fort. When  the  time  for  their  evening  prayer  arrived,  an 
appropriate  portion  of  Scripture  was  read,  many  voices 
united  in  a  hymn  of  praise,  and  the  pastor,  in  his  usually 
happy  manner,  offered  up  prayer,  supplication,  interces- 
sion, and  giving  of  thanks.  Mr.  Maddox,  in  relating  the 
circumstances  to  the  writer,  said,  "He  prayed  for  every 
thing,  exactly  what  we  needed,  and  all  that  was  necessary 
for  us."  He  asked  the  Lord  to  undertake  for  the  stran- 
gers, and  direct  them,  by  his  providence,  into  such  neigh- 
borhoods, and  to  such  selection  of  lands,  as  would  be  the 
very  best  for  them  in  time  and  in  eternity.  This  was  a 
rich  source  of  consolation  to  the  discouraged  and  pious 
adventurers.  To  one,  at  least,  it  afforded  a  joy  unspeak- 
able. After  prayer  he  commenced  singing,  in  the  most 
melodious  and  melting  strains, 

"  We  need  not  go  abroad  for  joy — 
We  have  a  feast  at  home; 
Our  sighs  are  turned  into  joys — 
The  Comforter  is  come." 

Before  the  song  was  ended  my  informant  says  he  was 
perfectly  relieved,  and  his  disburdened  soul  was  raised  to 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMBA  QUIRK.  95 

raptures.  He  was  ready  to  acquiesce  in  all  the  disposals 
of  Providence,  and  be  contented  to  live  in  any  place. 

Now,  as  such  opportunities  of  doing  good,  in  the  min- 
istry of  Mr.  Quinn,  were  of  frequent  occurrence,  this 
instance  is  given  as  one  of  a  thousand  in  which  his  sym- 
pathy, skill,  and  success  were  manifest  in  his  well-directed 
efforts  to  do  good  to  those  he  had  intercourse  with. 

During  this  year  some  members  were  received  into  this 
charge  from  Kentucky,  as  well  as  other  regions.  Mr. 
Quinn  informed  me  he  was  traveling,  one  afternoon,  along 
a  narrow  trace  in  the  vicinity  of  where  Louden  Church 
now  stands,  in  Bainbridge  circuit,  seeking  his  way  through 
the  almost  unbroken  forest,  to  the  neighborhood  of  his 
appointment  for  the  next  day.  Suddenly  he  heard  the 
sound  of  an  ax.  The  inference  was  plain:  "Some  one  has 
got  into  these  woods."  And  as  the  sight  of  a  human 
countenance  was  much  desired  by  the  lonely  itinerant,  he 
turned  some  distance  aside  to  see  who  it  was.  He  found 
one  who  was  more  than  an  equal  sharer  in  the  pleasures 
of  the  interview.  It  happened  to  be  a  Methodist,  who 
had  just  removed  from  Kentucky;  and  as  his  pious  soul 
was  anxious  to  enjoy  again  the  ministrations  of  the  Church 
to  which  he  belonged,  his  first  question  after  looking  at 
the  stranger  was,  "Are  you  not  a  Methodist  preacher?,, 
The  answer  was,  "I  am."  This  answer  was  like  good 
news  from  a  far  country,  or  cool  water  to  a  thirsty  soul. 
Said  the  man,  "I  want  you  to  lodge  with  us  to-night.  I 
have  just  raised  my  cabin;  it  is  in  an  unfinished  state;  Ave 
can,  however,  find  some  place  for  you  to  rest  We  have 
something  for  you  to  eat,  and  a  little  food  for  your  horse." 
The  itinerant  consented  to  remain,  and,  although  the  ac- 
commodations were  limited  and  poor,  yet  it  was  a  real 
feast  of  soul.  Mr.  Quinn's  remark  was,  "We  ate  our 
bread  in  singleness  of  heart,  read  the  word  of  God,  sung, 
prayed,  and   shouted  together."     The  reader  can   better 


96  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

imagine  the  great  joy  of  that  happy  family  than  I  can 
describe  it.     Conceive  of  its  fullness  if  you  can! 

Near  the  close  of  this  conference  year,  at  his  appoint- 
ment at  Fitzpatrick's,  there  appeared  in  the  little  congre- 
gation a  very  dignified  and  venerable-looking  female,  clad 
in  mourning.  She  seemed  to  be  an  interested  auditor, 
and  her  strict  attention  and  intelligent  countenance  rather 
embarrassed  him  in  his  sermon.  The  public  services 
being  closed,  he  requested,  as  was  his  uniform  practice, 
the  members  of  the  Church  to  remain  for  class.  The 
stranger  tarried  also.  It  was  not  long  till  this  lady  was 
interrogated  in  regard  to  her  state  in  religion.  She  rose, 
with  a  full  soul  and  with  eyes  swimming  in  tears,  and  re- 
plied, "I  am,  through  the  infinite  mercy  of  God,  a  child 
of  his,  and,  by  blessed  experience,  know  I  enjoy  the  par- 
doning love  of  the  Savior.  I  am  a  widow,  recently  from 
Kentucky.  I  have  a  large  family  of  children.  I  have 
traveled  nine  or  ten  miles  to  enjoy  the  means  of  grace, 
and  to  invite  you  to  come  and  preach  in  my  cabin  for  the 
benefit  of  my  children  and  my  unconverted  neighbors." 
Her  words  were  with  power;  and  it  was  manifest  that  the 
love  of  Christ  constrained  her — that  she  was  filled  with 
the  Holy  Ghost.  While  she  spoke,  the  same  flame  was 
kindled  on  the  hearts  of  others,  and  some  shouted  aloud 
for  joy.  After  class,  he  learned  the  interesting  stranger 
was  Mrs.  Jane  Trimble,  mother  to  the  Ex- Governor,  and 
grandmother  to  Joseph  M.  Trimble.  He  gave  her  an  ap- 
pointment, and,  on  his  next  round,  preached  at  her  double 
cabin,  on  Clear  creek,  three  miles  north  of  Hillsboro. 

At  this  meeting,  it  is  probable,  no  professor  was  pres- 
ent, except  the  pious  widow  and  the  preacher.  After  the 
sermon,  as  there  was  no  class  to  meet,  he  stated  that  it 
was  his  last  round  on  the  circuit,  and,  as  he  had  soon  to 
leave  for  conference,  he  could  not  preach  to  them  any 
more,  but  that  his  successors,  who  might  be  sent  to  that 


LIFE  AND   LABORS  OF  JAMES   Ql  INN.  97 

circuit,  would  preach  to  them.  II<-  then  sung  one  of  the 
s  of  Zion.  At  that  period  in  life  his  voice  was  most 
melodious  and  sweet.  The  tones  of  the  music,  accompa- 
nied with  a  holy  unction,  melted  every  heart  to  tender- 
ness. While  singing,  he  passed  through  the  room,  and 
shook  hands  with  every  one  present.  All  were  more  or 
less  affected.  Young  Mrs.  Trimble,  first  wife  of  A. 
Trimble,  and  mother  of  Joseph  M.,  though  once  a  pro- 
fessor  of  religion,  became  conscious  of  her  backsliding  and 
lukewarmness,  and  the  absolute  necessity  of  the  reclaiming 
of  God  to  her  salvation.  Her  anguish  of  spirit  was 
so  great  she  could  conceal  it  no  longer.  She  first  went 
out  of  the  room;  but,  finding  there  no  means  of  relief  to 
her  distressed  soul,  she  soon  returned,  and,  kneeling  down 
at  a  seat,  she  cried  aloud  for  mercy.  Many  hearts,  per- 
haps, sympathized  with  her;  but  there  were  but  two  to 
pray  for  her.  They  were,  however,  efficient  suppliants, 
and,  having  power  with  God,  they  soon  prevailed.  They 
first  sung  that  appropriate  hymn, 

"  Father,  I  stretch  my  hands  to  thee, 
No  other  help  I  know." 

In  a  short  time  the  earnest  seeker  was  powerfully  re- 
claimed; and  such  was  the  overwhelming  flood  of  pardon- 
ing mercy  imparted,  and  the  clear  testimony  of  the  Spirit, 
assuring  her  that  her  soul  was  restored  to  the  favor  and 
image  of  God,  that  she  praised  the  Lord  with  but  little  in- 
termission till  midnight.  In  a  few  years  she  passed  away 
in  holy  triumph,  and  now  awaits  the  arrival  of  her  friends 
in  heaven. 

The  foregoing  instances  are  furnished,  illustrative  of  the 
openings  of  Providence  and  the  force  of  circumstances, 
by  which  the  number  of  his  preaching-places  were  in- 
creased, and  the  way  he  "  abounded  in  the  work  of  the 
Lord." 

We  have  already  noticed  the  trying  circumstances  in 
9 


98  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

which  Mr.  Quinn  found  himself  placed  in  view  of  his 
rising  family  and  the  limited  means  afforded  for  their  sup- 
port. We  do  not  wonder  that  he  should  have  it  suggested 
to  his  mind,  that  the.  time  had  arrived  when  he  should 
cease  to  devote  his  whole  time  to  the  service  of  the 
Church  as  an  itinerant  minister,  and  should  provide  for 
his  own  household.  Unfortunately,  he  yielded  to  this  sug- 
gestion, and,  at  the  next  session  of  the  conference,  he  re- 
ceived  an  honorable  location.  He  now  applied  himself, 
with  great  energy  and  industry,  to  the  means  by  which 
he  hoped  to  secure  a  support  for  his  family.  He  once 
understood  agriculture  practically,  and  was  accustomed  to 
work  on  a  farm.  But  now  his  labors  seemed  to  avail  but 
little;  and  the  anticipated  prosperity  was  not  realized. 
The  Legislature  of  the  state  elected  him  associate  judge 
of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  for  Fairfield  county.  His 
friends  tried  to  encourage  him.  He  seemed  to  have  the 
confidence  and  good-will  of  all  his  acquaintances;  yet  he 
was  an  unhappy  man.  He  has  informed  the  writer  that, 
often  at  night,  after  working  hard  all  day,  he  has  retired 
to  the  woods,  and,  for  an  hour,  writhed  in  anguish,  suf- 
fering indescribable  torture  of  mind.  He  seemed  to  have 
a  consciousness  of  having  done  wrong  in  retiring  from  the 
itinerant  work,  and  to  apprehend  that  the  curse  of  God 
would  rest  upon  the  labor  of  his  hands.  Many  of  his 
cattle  and  horses  died,  and  nothing  he  did  seemed  to 
prosper.  He  often  spoke  of  the  two  years  he  was  located 
as  being  the  most  unhappy  of  his  life.  It  may  be  asked, 
What  counsel  or  influence  was  used  to  get  him  to  desist 
from  traveling?  It  gives  me  sincere  pleasure  to  record 
that  no  blame  was  attached  to  his  excellent  wife.  His 
father-in-law,  however,  I  can  not  proclaim  thus  innocent, 
but  have  reason  to  believe  he  used  all  his  great  influence 
to  procure  Mr.  Quinn's  location.  Bishop  Asbury  visited 
him,  and  havino-  ascertained  his  state  of  mind,  and  how 


LIFE  AND  LABOBs!  UK  JAMES  QUINN.  99 

things  were  going  with  him,  remarked  that  he  should  not 
wonder,  if  he  did  not  enter  the  itinerant  field  again,  if  he 
should  be  taken  out  of  the  world  in  some  way.  Some 
time  after  this,  Mr.  Quinn  narrowly  escaped  death  by  the 
falling  of  a  limb  from  a  tree.  But  for  the  quick  and  sudden 
leap  of  his  horse  he  would  have  lost  his  life.  He  rode 
home,  and  told  his  father-in-law  what  had  happened,  and 
he,  having  knowledge  of  what  Bishop  Asbury  had  said, 
replied,  "Well,  you  had  better  go  into  the  itinerant  work 
again;  for  I  see  plainly  you  will  never  be  fit  for  any  thing 
else." 

Near  the  close  of  these  two  years  of  bitter  regret  and 
sorrow  to  Mr.  Quinn,  Bishop  Asbury  called  at  his  house, 
on  his  way  to  the  seat  of  the  conference,  at  Liberty  Hill, 
Tennessee;  and,  before  he  left,  Mr.  Quinn  consented  that 
he  might  present  him  for  readmission  into  the  itinerancy. 


100  SKETCHES  OF  THE 


CHAPTER   VII. 

Is  readmitted  into  the  conference — Appointed  to  Muskingum  dis- 
trict— Reminiscence  of  Bishop  Asbury — Camp  meetings — Their 
origin — A  description  of  one  in  their  primitive  simplicity  and 
power — Their  effect  on  preachers — Continuous  labors  of  presiding 
elders — Business  duties  of  presiding  elders — Mr.  Quinn  is  faith- 
ful— Candidates  fur  the  itinerancy — Their  course  of  study — "VVes- 
leyan  plan  successful — Testimony  of  a  doctor  of  divinity — Ped- 
antry rebuked — Was  not  opposed  to  a  collegiate  education — Is 
abundant  in  labors — Is  successful — Testimony  of  Jacob  Young — 
Bishop  Morris'  description  of  a  camp  meeting — Testifies  to  the  elo- 
quence and  power  of  Mr.  Quinn  in  the  pulpit — Territory  divided 
into  two  districts — Is  appointed  to  Scioto  district — Continued  four 
years — Visits  sick  and  dying  soldiers — Conversion  of  one  reported 
after  the  lapse  of  many  years. 

In  October,  1808,  Bishop  Asbury  presented  Mr.  Quinn  to 
the  conference  for  readmission,  and  he  was  most  gladly  and 
cordially  received  as  a  brother  beloved,  and  was  appointed 
presiding  elder  of  Muskingum  district.  Ralph  Lotspeich, 
who  was  appointed  that  year  to  Fairfield,  having  just  re- 
turned from  conference,  called  at  Mr.  Quinn's  in  his  ab- 
sence, and  left  word  with  his  wife  that  he  was  appointed 
to  the  district,  and  wished  to  know  when  his  quarterly 
meeting  would  be.  This  unexpected  message,  under  the 
circumstances,  shocked  him  greatly,  and  for  a  time  cast  a 
gloom  over  his  mind.  He,  however,  soon  overcame  it, 
and  entered  upon  his  work  with  invincible  firmness  and 
zeal.  For  many  years  the  whole  of  Ohio  formed  but  one 
district,  and  for  the  three  preceding  years  John  Sale,  as 
presiding  elder,  had  charge  of  all  the  circuits  in  Ohio,  and 
two  in  Virginia.  Whether  he  visited  them  all  quarterly  I 
am  not  informed;  but  if  he  did,  it  really  appears  to  have 
been  more  labor  than  ought  to  have  been  required,  at  that 
period  of  bad  roads,  of  any  one  man.     At  this  session  of 


LUIE  AxNU   LAUOKS  UF  JAMhS   ^  L  KVV  lUl 

the  conference  the  work  was  divided,  and  Mr.  Quinn  was 
appointed  to  the  upper  district,  which  embraced  seven 
charges;  namely,  Fairfield,  Wills  Creek,  Weal  Wheeling, 
Marietta,  Little  Kanawha,  Guyandott,  and  Leading  Creek. 
Mr.  Quinn  served  on  this  district  four  years  consecutively, 
and  was  faithful  in  his  work.  He  was  very  acceptable  to 
the  preachers  and  people,  and  eminently  useful  in  this  very 
laborious  and  responsible  relation  to  the  Church. 

In  a  reminiscence  of  Bishop  Asbury,  etc.,  Mr.  Quinn 
has  briefly  and  rather  incidentally  noticed  the  holding  of 
two  camp  meetings,  during  his  term  of  service  on  Mus- 
kingum district,  which  I  will  furnish  in  his  own  words: 

"It  was  in  the  month  of  September,  1810,  that  we 
pitched  our  tents  in  a  beautiful  sugar  grove,  on  the  lands 
of  Richard  Lee,  two  miles  above  Parkersburg,  on  the  Lit- 
tle Kanawha.  It  was  at  the  time  of  full  moon,  and  at 
night.  The  camp  was  well  illuminated  with  pine  lights. 
The  meeting  commenced  under  the  most  auspicious  cir- 
cumstances; and  from  the  beginning  to  the  close,  we  had 
evidences  of  the  presence  and  approval  of  the  great  Head 
of  the  Church,  in  the  conviction  and  conversion  of  many 
souls,  and  the  upbuilding  of  believers  in  their  most  holy 
faith.  Having  retired  to  the  preachers'  tent  for  a  little 
relaxation  and  rest,  the  work  still  going  on  in  the  camp, 
about  ten  o'clock  a  person  came  to  the  tent,  and  informed 
me  that  an  old  man  at  the  gateway  wished  to  see  me.  I 
arose  and  went  forthwith;  and,  to  my  great  joy  and  sur- 
prise,  who  should  I  see  in  the  clear  moonlight,  but  the 
venerable  Asbury,  and  his  traveling  companion,  the  Rev. 
H.  Boehm!  I  conducted  them  to  the  house  of  Richard 
Lee,  and  said  to  him,  'Rest,  and  be  happy  for  the  night. 
You  are  now  in  the  house  of  the  brother  of  your  old 
friend,  Rev.  Wilson  Lee.'  At  this  the  good  old  man  ap- 
1  to  be  highly  pleased;  nor  were  brother  and  sister 
9* 


102  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

Lee  less  gratified  at  having  the  privilege  of  entertaining, 
if  not  unawares,  yet  unexpectedly,  that  angel  of  the 
Church  below. 

''I  returned  to  the  encampment  and  witnessed  a  glorious 
night  of  the  presence  and  power  of  the  Most  High.  The 
Bishop  had  a  good  night's  rest,  which,  he  said,  was  the* 
first  since  he  left  Wheeling,  and  came  on  to  the  ground, 
quite  early,  in  fine  spirits,  and  was  highly  pleased  with  the! 
arrangements  and  good  order  which  he  saw.  He  preached 
twice  during  the  meeting,  with  great  light,  life,  and  power. 
Surely,  the  Lord  helped  him,  and  good,  great  good  was 
done.  He  also  ordained  one  to  the  office  of  elder,  who 
had  been  elected  by  the  Baltimore  conference. 

"  Our  camp  meeting  closed  well,  on  Monday  morning, 
and  we  repaired  to  brother  Reese  Wolf's,  the  old  local 
preacher  who  led  the  way,  and  invited  Methodism  on  to 
the  Little  Kanawha,  by  the  itinerant  preachers,  in  1799. 
Here  we  met  a  kind  reception,  and  rested  till  next  morning. 
At  three  o'clock  the  Bishop  preached  a  plain  and  powerful 
sermon  in  Parkersburg,  which  was  a  small  place  then. 
0,  what  awful  appeals  to  the  understanding,  and  to  the 
heart!     There  was  no  daubing  with  untempered  mortar. 

"We  crossed  over  the  Ohio  into  Belpre,  and  were  kindly 
received,  and  lodged  at  the  house  of  Esq.  B.  The  lady 
of  the  house  was  an  intelligent  old  lady,  from  the  land  of 
steady  habits,  who  had  heard  Whitefield  preach,  and  was 
greatly  delighted  in  seeing  and  conversing  with  the  Meth- 
odist bishop.  But,  0,  her  regrets  on  account  of  the  great 
privations  in  coming  to  the  west:  'Yonder  we  had  such 
fine  meeting-houses,  comfortable  pews,  organs,  and  such 
delightful  singing;  and  then,  0,  such  charming  preachers! 
O,  Bishop,  you  can't  tell,'  etc.  'Yes,  yes,'  said  the  Bishop, 
'  old  Connecticut  for  all  the  world — 

"  A  fine  house  and  a  high  steeple, 
A  learned  priest  and  a  gay  people." 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QTTNX.  103 

But  where  shall  we  look  for  Gospel  simplicity  and  purity? 
Let  us  go  back  to  the  days  of  the  Pilgrim  fathers.'  '  Well, 
Bishop,  who  are  you  going  to  send  to  us  next  year?  I 
hope  you  will  send  us  a  very  good  preacher.'  '  Come, 
send  you  a  good  preacher!'  'Yes,  sir;  don't  you  send 
them  just  where  you  please?'  It  was  evident  that  the 
Bishop  was  disposed  to  waive  the  subject,  upon  which  one 
present  said,  '  Madam,  I'll  tell  you  how  it  is — we  send  him 
and  tell  him  to  send  us,  and  then  he  must  come  and  see 
us;  for  he  must  travel  at  large,  and  oversee  the  whole 
work,  and  must  not  stop  without  our  leave.'  'Indeed! 
Well,  now  I  guess  I  understand  it  better.  Well,  well, 
Bishop,  where  do  you  live?' 

•  "  No  spot  of  land  do  I  possess, 
No  cottage  in  the  wilderness — 
A  poor  "wayfaring  man."  ' 

At  this  the  old  lady  appeared  much  surprised;  and  so  the 
conversation  closed. 

"Next  morning  we  started  very  early,  and  called  at  sev- 
eral farm-houses  on  the  way  down  the  river,  whose  inmates 
were  not  Methodists,  and  the  good  man  prayed  with  them 
all.  Indeed,  I  have  seldom  known  him  to  leave  a  family 
without  prayer,  whether  they  were  professors  or  not;  for 
he  was  always  intent  upon  doing  good. 

"At  three  o'clock  he  preached  in  a  school-house  oppo- 
site Blannerhasset's  Island;  and  truly  it  might  be  said  of 
the  sermon,  as  I  once  heard  him  say  of  Harnock's  great 
law  of  consideration,  'It  was  a  dagger,  to  the  hilt  at  every 
stroke.' 

"After  preaching  we  were  kindly  invited  by  Col.  Put- 
nam, son  of  Gen.  Putnam,  of  the  Revolution,  to  the  house 
of  his  son,  Major  Putnam,  where  Ave  were  treated  with 
every  attention.  Some  six  or  eight  of  the  principal  men, 
with  their  ladies,  came  in  to  see  and  spend  the  evening 
with  the  Methodist  bishop.     Most  of  these  were  Revolu- 


104  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

tionary  men.  The  conversation  of  the  evening  was  quite 
of  an  interesting  character,  in  which  the  Bishop  took  a 
lively  part. 

"But,  ever  and  anon,  an  important  religious  sentiment 
was  thrown  in,  or  a  moral  application  made,  to  which  the 
company  bowed  silent  assent,  their  countenances,  in  the 
mean  time,  showing  that  the  weight  was  felt.  The  evening 
closed  with  devotional  services.  The  company  retired, 
and  we  were  conducted  to  our  lodgings;  and  where  should 
we  find  ourselves  but  in  the  splendid  ball-room!  'Here,' 
said  the  Bishop,  they  were  wont  to  worship  the  devil;  but 
let  us  worship  God.'  I  was  informed  that  the  decree  was 
passed  soon  after,  that  no  more  balls  were  to  be  held 
there. 

"As  we  passed  through  this  delightful  settlement,  well 
improved,  in  New  England  style,  we  saw  the  extensive 
orchards  and  apparatus  for  making  strong  drink.  We 
entered  the  dwellings,  and  beheld  the  sideboards  set  out 
with  decanters.  We  could  but  think  and  say,  ruin,  ruin, 
ruin!  It  is  to  be  feared  that  many  of  these  men  will  die 
drunkards,  ruin  themselves,  and  entail  ruin  on  their  fami- 
lies; and  thirty  years  have  told  sad  tales  of  ruin,  ruin! 

"Next  morning  we  set  out  for  Athens.  As  we  were 
crossing  Little  Hockhocking,  I  said,  'Here,  Mr.  Asbury,  in 
1800,  the  man  used  to  set  me  over  ferriage  free,  saying  he 
never  charged  ministers  or  babes;  for  if  they  do  no  good 
they  do  no  harm.'  'Ah,'  said  he,  'that  is  not  true  of 
ministers;  for  the  minister  who  does  no  good  does  much 
harm.'  We  reached  Athens  on  Friday,  at  noon,  and  com- 
menced our  camp  meeting.  It  went  on  well,  and  closed 
well  on  the  fourth  day,  and  the  Bishop  left  us  in  good 
spirits  for  Chilicothe,  having  preached  two  powerful  ser- 
mons. 

"In  making  his  tour,  he  had  diverged  from  a  straight 
road  at  least  fifty  miles,  and  added  to  his  journey  more 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  105 

than  one  hundred  miles.  What  love  had  he  for  the  souls 
of  men,  as  the  purchase  of  the  Redeemer's  blood!" 

Although  Mr.  Quinn  refers  to  but  two  camp  meet- 
ings, yet  he  no  doubt  presided  at  more  than  twelve  an- 
nually, while  on  a  district.  Those  meetings  were  common 
at  that  period  in  the  west  throughout  the  entire  warm  sea- 
son of  the  year,  and  Mr.  Quinn  usually  held  one  in  each 
charge  every  year,  and  frequently  two.  These  meetings 
were  a  special  accommodation  to  the  scattered  population 
of  the  west,  at  a  period  when  churches  or  houses  of  wor- 
ship were  few  and  very  small.  We  contemplate  Method- 
ism, in  the  various  features  of  its  history,  as  the  offspring 
of  heaven,  reared  up  and  extended  in  accordance  with  the 
openings  of  Providence  and  the  force  of  circumstances. 
It  has  long  been  said,  "Necessity  is  the  mother  of  inven- 
tion;" hence  the  invention  of  camp  meetings,  to  meet  the 
exigencies  of  the  condition  of  the  people  of  the  west. 
They  originated  in  that  great  revival  of  religion  which 
commenced  among  the  Methodists  and  Presbyterians,  in 
the  year  1799,  through  the  instrumentality  of  two  broth- 
ers— M'Gee — one  of  each  denomination,  and  who  fre- 
quently held  their  meetings  together,  in  the  south  part  of 
Kentucky.  The  houses  could  not  accommodate  the  multi- 
tudes that  attended,  and  on  the  approach  of  warm  weather 
they  worshiped  in  groves.  The  people,  many  of  whom 
attended  in  wagons  from  a  distance,  brought  with  them 
provision  for  their  families  and  horses.  Tents  were  soon 
added  as  a  matter  of  convenience  for  lodging,  and  the 
people  continued  several  days  together  worshiping  God,  in 
preaching  and  hearing  the  word  of  life,  singing  appro- 
priate hymns  and  spiritual  songs,  and  in  fervent  prayer. 
Thus  originated  what  was  afterward  called  camp  meet- 
ings— something  like  the  ancient  "feast  of  tabernacles." 

The  report  of  these  meetings,  and  their  wonderful  re- 
sults, spread  with  astonishing  rapidity,  and   excited  the 


106  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

most  intense  interest  among  all  classes.  They  were  soon 
adopted  in  various  parts  of  Kentucky,  and  extended  over 
to  the  North-western  territory,  now  state  of  Ohio.  These 
meetings  were  called  "general,"  because  the  Presbyte- 
rians and  Methodists  united  in  holding  them.  It  was, 
perhaps,  in  1801  that  general  camp  meetings  were  held  at 
Cabin  creek,  above  Maysville,  Ky.;  Concord,  Bourbon 
county;  Point  Pleasant;  and  one  on  Indian  creek,  Har- 
rison county.  They  usually  continued  four  or  five  days 
and  nights;  but  the  most  celebrated  of  all  the  meetings 
was  the  one  held  at  Cane  Ridge,  seven  miles  from  Paris, 
Ky.,  which  commenced  on  the  6th  of  August,  and  con- 
tinued a  week.  The  number  attending  this  was  estimated 
at  twenty  thousand,  and  it  was  supposed  that  three  thou- 
sand fell  to  the  ground  under  the  mighty  power  of  God. 
Here  the  drunkard,  the  Deist,  the  nominal  professor,  in- 
deed, all  classes  of  sinners,  were  prostrated  on  the  earth 
together,  and  confessed  with  equal  frankness  that  they  had 
not  the  true  knowledge  of  God.  And  many  arose  re- 
leased from  the  burden  of  sin,  and,  being  made  new  crea- 
tures in  Christ,  they  mingled  their  voices  together  in  praise 
to  God  for  pardoning  mercy.  Some  of  the  subjects  of 
this  glorious  revival  still  linger  on  the  earth;  but  many  of 
them,  both  Methodists  and  Presbyterians,  have  long  since 
passed  away,  to  their  home  in  heaven. 

On  account  of  our  present  dense  population,  and  conse- 
quent difficulty  of  maintaining  good  order  at  our  camp 
meetings,  they  have  given  way,  in  a  great  measure,  to 
protracted  meetings  held  in  churches,  and  chiefly  in  the 
winter  season.  Hence,  there  are  many  now  in  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  who  never  saw  a  congregation 
worshiping  at  camp  meeting.  And  as  it  now  appears 
probable  that  comparatively  few  of  the  next  and  future 
generations  will  have  an  opportunity  of  witnessing  one  of 
those  useful  meetings,  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  furnish,  in 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QIINN.  107 

this  biography,  a  description  of  such  as  were  held  in  the 
west  during  the  eighl  years  Mr.  Quinn  was  presiding  elder 
on  the  Muskingum  and  Scioto  districts. 

When  held  on  every  circuit,  the  time  was  usually  fixed 
to  suit  the  quarterly  visitations  of  the  elder  during  the 
warm  season.  If  a  new  ground  was  selected,  a  day  was 
appointed,  some  time  previous  to  the  meeting,  when  all 
might  come  together  to  do  the  public  work  for  the  accom- 
modation of  the  congregation.  The  ground  was  usually 
laid  oft'  to  the  best  advantage,  so  as  to  secure  the  best 
shade,  etc.  Reference  was  had,  in  the  selection,  to  a  sup- 
ply of  good  spring  water,  and  a  running  brook  for  the  use 
of  horses — a  good  grove,  accessible  from  various  roads, 
and  in  a  central  position  for  the  circuit.  The  stand  was 
usually  elevated  some  four  feet  from  the  ground,  and  in 
front  of  the  preachers'  tent.  The  seats  were  arranged, 
separated  by  aisles,  into  different  sections,  that  they  might 
be  easy  of  access.  A  broad  aisle  was  in  front  of  the 
stand,  extending  the  whole  distance  of  the  seats.  On  one 
side  of  this  aisle,  the  seats  were  appropriated  exclusively 
to  the  females,  and  on  the  other  to  the  males.  The  inner 
circle  of  tents  was  arranged  so  as  to  furnish  room  within 
for  the  congregation  at  its  largest  size;  but  the  space  was 
frequently  found  insufficient,  and  on  the  Sabbath  preachers 
were  often  called  to  serve  congregations  without  who 
could  not  hear  from  the  principal  stand.  Sometimes  there 
were  many  circles  of  tents  divided  by  narrow  streets  and 
alleys,  allowing  room  for  the  vast  multitudes  to  pass,  and 
space  for  small  fires  for  the  purpose  of  cooking.  Hours 
were  fixed  upon,  at  which  it  was  expected  that  all  the 
families  would  breakfast,  dine,  and  sup  simultaneously. 
The  whole  system  of  rules  was  designed  to  promote  the 
convenience,  harmony,  and  enjoyment  of  all  in  attendance, 
as  well  as  the  good  order  of  the  meeting.  The  sound  of 
the  trumpet  around  the  encampment,  a  short  time  after 


108  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

daylight,  was  the  signal  for  all  to  arise  and  prepare  for 
family  devotion.  After  a  sufficient  time  allowed,  another 
signal  of  the  trumpet  was  given  for  prayer  in  each  tent, 
preceded  by  singing  two  or  three  verses  of  a  hymn.  A 
short  time  after  sunrise  the  trumpet  was  again  sounded  for 
prayer  meeting  at  the  stand,  at  which  many  attended, 
while  breakfast  was  being  prepared.  It  was  usual  to  have 
preaching  and  exhortation  at  eight  and  eleven,  A.  M.,  and 
at  three  and  candle-lighting,  P.  M.  The  intervals  were 
often  occupied  with  prayer  meetings  at  the  stand,  or  in 
several  of  the  tents,  where  mourners  or  earnest  seekers  of 
salvation  were  embraced  in  the  praying  circle — cared  for 
and  pointed  to  the  Savior  of  sinners.  The  noise  at  such 
times  was  frequently  very  great;  penitents  writhing  in 
anguish,  crying  aloud  to  God  for  mercy;  souls  just  born 
into  the  kino-dom  shouting1  in  ecstasies  and  telling  their 
raptures  all  abroad,  and  their  relatives  and  friends,  who, 
perhaps,  had  long  prayed  for  them,  rejoicing  over  them  as 
those  recovered  from  the  dead.  Now,  admitting  the 
truth,  that  each  one  gives  of  his,  or  her  state,  who 
would  wonder  that  the  noise  should  be  like  the  sound  of 
many  waters,  and  heard  afar  off!  Indeed,  we  should  be 
greatly  surprised,  if,  under  these  circumstances,  there 
was  no  noise. 

At  night  the  whole  scene  was  awfully  sublime.  The 
ranges  of  tents,  the  fires  reflecting  light  amidst  the 
branches  of  the  forest-trees ;  the  candles  and  lamps  illu- 
minating the  ground;  hundreds  moving  to  and  fro  with 
torches  like  Gideon's  army;  the  sound  of  exhortation, 
singing,  praying,  and  rejoicing  rushing  from  various  parts 
of  the  encampment,  was  enough  to  enlist  the  feelings  of 
the  heart  and  absorb  all  the  powers  of  thought. 

The  labors  performed  at  those  meetings  were  well  cal- 
culated to  wear  out  preachers.  Their  efforts  in  the 
pulpit,  in  the  open  air,  sometimes  affected  them  unkindly; 


LTFH  AND  LABOM  0<  JAMBS  QUINN.  109 

but  their  labors  in  the  crowded  praying  circle,  and  in  hot 
tents,  did  them  (-w  greater  injury;  When  we  hare  wit- 
nessed the  astonishing  preservation  oi  the  health  of  the 
ministers  while  exposed  to  the  night  air,  a  damp  atmos- 
phere, wet  ground,  and  often  having  to  lie  on  dam])  beds 
at  those  meetings,  we  have  been  ready  to  say,  truly 
"  they  are  immortal  till  their  work  is  done." 

The  labors  of  the  presiding  elder  wen-  usually  gre  i '•  r 
than  any  other  preacher,  because  lie  had  to  be  nearly  all 
the  time  employed  at  camp  meeting's  through  the  whole 
of  the  warm  season.  For  montbs  together,  he  almost. 
literally  lived  in  the  woods  in  attending-  the  numerous 
camp  meetings  on  his  district.  The  reader  may  now  have 
some  idea  of  the  amount  of  labor  performed,  and  the 
fatigue  and  exposure  endured  by  Mr.  Quinn,  while  he 
served  as  presiding  elder  of  a  district. 

There  is  what  may  properly  be  denominated  a  business 
feature  in  the  work  and  office  of  a  presiding  elder.  This 
Mr.  Quinn  was  careful,  diligent,  and  punctual  to  attend  to 
in  every  part.  He  appears  to  have  been  very  successful 
in  procuring  candidates  for  the  itinerant  ministry.  It 
would  give  me  great  pleasure  to  know,  and  to  state  for 
the  information  of  the  reader,  how  many  have  been  ad- 
mitted into  the  traveling  connection,  whose  recommenda- 
tions he  brought  to  conference  and  represented  their 
claims  for  admission;  but  this  is  now  impossible.  I  should 
suppose  they  would  number  more  than  forty.  I  have 
known  many  of  them  who  were  distinguished  and  able 
ministers.  How  many  exhorters  and  local  preachers  have 
received  license  with  his  signature  affixed,  during  his  long 
life,  Avho  can  tell? 

In  the  year  1844,  referring  to  the  time  when  he  was 
presiding  elder  on  this  district,  he  says:  "Upon  coming  to 
Kanawha  circuit  I  found  James  and  William  Dixon,  Rich- 
ard, James.  John,  and  William  M'Mahan,  together  with 
10 


1  1  0  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

Samuel  West,  all  happily  converted  to  God,  and  all  deeply 
exercised  on  the  subject  of  preaching.  With  this  lovely 
group  of  young  men  I  spent  many  a  pleasant  and  profita- 
ble hour;  for,  although  I  was  not  very  competent  or  apt 
to  teach,  yet  they  were  apt  and  more  than  willing  to  learn. 
Moreover,  they  often  had  the  opportunity  of  being  with, 
hearinc:,  and  receiving  lessons  of  instruction  from  that 
great  and  good  man,  and  most  profound  divine,  the  late 
Rev.  William  Beauchamp,  who  at  that  time  lived  in  the 
bounds  of  Kanawha  circuit.  Their  attention  was  directed 
to  all  that  was  contained  in  the  Discipline  on  preachers — 
their  qualifications,  their  Avork:  nothing  was  kept  back; 
the  Bible  was  to  be  their  first,  second,  third,  fourth,  and 
last  book.  Each,  however,  had  his  grammar,  and  a  trea- 
tise on  logic,  etc.  Well,  their  profiting  soon  appeared  to 
the  satisfaction  of  all  concerned,  so  that,  in  due  time,  and 
in  due  form,  they  were  all  recommended,  approved, 
licensed  to  preach,  and  admitted  into  the  traveling  connec- 
tion, except  Richard  M'Mahan,  who,  though  recommended, 
died  before  the  annual  conference  assembled.  He  was  a 
good  man,  of  great  promise,  and  we  mourned  his  death. 
These  were  all  unmarried  men,  and  set  forth  with  the 
Gospel  armor  on;  not  to  seek  themselves  wives  in  the  first  or 
second  year  of  their  probation,  but  to  show  themselves  ap- 
proved unto  God,  as  'workmen  who  need  not  be  ashamed.' 
And  here  I  would  remark,  that  in  more  than  forty  years' 
observation,  I  have  known  very  few  pious  young  men,  of 
good  common  sense,  who  have  followed  up  and  carried 
out  the  Wesleyan  plan  of  ministerial  preparation,  qualifi- 
cation, and  duty,  as  laid  down  in  our  Discipline,  who  did 
not  become  able  ministers  of  the  New  Testament;  and 
some  of  them  eminently  so.  Indeed,  a  doctor  of  divinity, 
in  making  a  handsome  apology  for  the  want  of  literary 
attainments  and  taste  in  the  old  preachers,  said  to  their 
credit,  that  they  were  mighty  in  the  Scriptures.     I  thank 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  1  1  1 

the  doctor  for  that.  Then  it  seems  that  a  man  may  be 
mighty  in  the  Scriptures  who  never  read  them  save  in  his 
mother  tongue.  Can  this  be  said  of  all  our  college  grad- 
uates? Come,  brethren,  no  pedantry;  it  looks  bad  in  any 
place,  hut  worst  <>f  all  in  the  pulpit." 

This  language  of  Mr.  Quinn  is  not  to  be  construed  into 
an  opposition  to  a  collegiate  education  in  a  minister.  He 
admired  sound  learning  in  the  ministers  of  Christ.  But 
he  wished  to  see  tlnir  Biblical  knowledge  commensurate 
with  their  attainments  in  other  branches.  How  disgusting 
it  must  be  to  all  sensible  people,  to  witness  in  a  minister 
an  effort  to  display  his  learning  in  Latin  and  Greek,  when 
it  is  apparent  he  is  incapable  of  quoting  with  accuracy  and 
appropriateness  the  plain  language  of  the  Bible!  This  is 
the  "pedantry"  at  which  he  aims  his  just  rebuke. 

I  have  satisfactory  evidence  before  me  that,  although 
the  four  years  Mr.  Quinn  was  presiding  elder  on  Muskin- 
gum district  were  years  of  toil  and  suffering,  yet  were  they 
to  himself  and  fellow -laborers  years  of  special  grace  and 
glorious  prosperity.  Though  they  were  "abundant  in 
labors,"  yet  they  abounded  in  the  wTork  of  the  Lord. 
Some  sowed  the  good  seed  of  the  kingdom,  others  watered, 
and  God  gave  the  increase;  so  that  a  harvest  of  many 
souls  was  realized.  The  venerable  Jacob  Youn^,  in  a 
communication  before  me,  makes  honorable  mention  of 
Mr.  Quinn  in  this  and  other  parts  of  his  ministry,  and 
bears  unequivocal  testimony  to  the  high  estimate  in  which 
he  was  held,  both  by  the  preachers  and  people  of  his 
charge.  He  also  sets  forth,  in  the  clearest  light,  his  great 
strength  in  the  pulpit,  as  well  as  the  holy  unction,  mighty 
power,  and  great  success  wrhich  attended  his  labors.  Mr. 
Young  was  long  his  cotemporary,  and  associated  with  him 
in  quarterly,  annual,  and  General  conferences,  labored  in 
his  districts  when  he  was  presiding  elder,  and  was  also  his 
presiding  elder;   he,  therefore,  knew  him   long  and  inti- 


112  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

mately  in  all  the  relations  which  a  Methodist  preacher  sus- 
tains; and  his  testimony  is,  "As  a  theologian,  he  had  but 
few  equals  and  no  superiors  in  the  Ohio  conference." 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  present  the  reader  with  the  fol- 
lowing sketch  from  the  pen  of  Bishop  Morris,  which 
furnishes,  with  other  interesting  items,  a  conspicuous  and 
just  representation  of  Mr.  Quinn's  eloquence  and  power  in 
the  pulpit.  He  has  also  set  forth,  in  a  very  forcible  man- 
ner, the  blessed  effects  which  accompanied  his  efforts  at 
that  period  of  his  ministry: 

"In  the  summer  of  1812,  when  I  was  but  a  youth,  and 
before  I  had  any  interest  in  Methodism,  there  was  a  camp 
meeting  near  where  I  resided  in  western  Virginia,  and, 
attracted  by  the  novelty  of  the  occasion,  in  company  with 
several  associates,  I  repaired  to  it.  The  encampment  was 
in  a  sequestered  place,  away  from  all  public  thoroughfares 
of  travel,  in  a  lonely  wood,  where  naught  but  the  voice  of 
prayer,  the  song  of  praise,  and  the  message  of  mercy 
broke  the  impressive  stillness  of  the  forest.  The  country 
was  new  and  the  population  sparse;  yet  the  people  poured 
forth  from  farm  and  hamlet,  hill  and  hollow,  till  a  multi- 
tude had  assembled,  some  to  .offer  the  sacrifice  of  the  heart 
to  God  in  the  wilderness,  but  probably  many  more  for 
mere  recreation.  The  general  appearance  of  those  present 
was  what  might  have  been  expected — that  of  rustic  sim- 
plicity peculiar  to  new  countries;  yet  they  evidently  felt, 
as  I  did  myself,  awed  by  the  sacredness  of  the  occasion, 
and  conformed  respectfully  to  the  order  of  the  public 
service.  The  singing,  though  not  scientific,  was  devotional 
and  strictly  congregational,  so  that  the  mingled  voices  of 
the  many  reverberated  through  the  shady  bowers  like  the 
roar  of  a  mighty  cataract,  and  were  solemnly  impressive. 
After  prayer  and  praise  we  heard  a  common-place  dis- 
course, of  barely  sufficient  interest  to  secure  respectful 
attention.     When  the  speaker  had  taken  his  seat,  another 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMBS  QUINN.  1  1.3 

of  very  different  appearance  rose  up  in  the  open  btand, 
from  whose  remarks  on  the  arrangements  of  the  meeting 
ire  soon  learned  that  he  was  the  presiding  officer  of  the 
district.  His  features  were  comely,  his  form  was  sym- 
metrical, and  his  movements  were  graceful.  He  was  in 
the  vigor  of  life,  of  medium  hight,  slightly  corpulent; 
wore  a  loose,  flowing  robe;  his  countenance  indicated  heav- 
enly serenity,  and,  taken  altogether,  made  an  appearance 
at  once  imposing  and  attractive.  Having  finished  his 
brief  and  well-timed  announcements,  he  referred  to  the 
sermon,  summing  up  its  parts  in  few  words,  like  a  wise 
master-builder,  and  explaining  the  use  of  each,  he  assumed 
the  style  of  exhortation,  earnestly  persuading  the  people 
to  embrace  and  practice  what  they  had  heard.  The  slow- 
ly-measured but  full-toned  accents  of  his  manly  voice  fell 
like  heavenly  music  upon  the  ears  and  hearts  of  the  en- 
chained auditors,  while  the  message  of  salvation  as  borne 
by  him  came  to  them  as  waters  to  a  thirsty  soul,  and  as 
good  news  from  a  far  country.  As  he  progressed  he  be- 
came inspired  with  his  theme,  and  rising  from  one  point  of 
interest  to  another,  carried  the  whole  assembly  with  him. 
Among  the  motives  urged  to  leave  off  sinning  and  com- 
mence praying,  was  that  of  avoiding  future  misery  and 
securing  heavenly  bliss.  Of  the  contrast  between  the  final 
end  of  saint  and  sinner,  he  furnished  a  Scriptural  example, 
which,  though  familiar  to  all,  was  so  presented  as  to  ap- 
pear new,  and  fix  a  powerful  impression.  Without  circum- 
locution he  recited  the  history  of  the  rich  man  and  Lazarus. 
While  portraying  the  sufferings  of  the  beggar,  his  manner 
was  plaintive  and  moving;  but  when  introducing  him  by 
the  ministry  of  angels  to  the  society  of  redeemed  and 
glorified  spirits  in  the  abodes  of  bliss,  he  became  animating 
and  inspiring,  as  if  he  saw  the  light  of  heaven,  heard  the 
music  of  angels,  and  felt  the  streams  of  consolation  from 
the  river  of  life.  But  suddenly  he  recalled  himself  and 
10* 


1  14  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

hearers  to  attend  to  the  case  of  the  once  wealthy  and 
pompons,  bnt  now  deceased  and  lost  sinner:  'The  rieh 
man  also  died,  and  Avas  buried.'  Reciting  these  solemn 
words,  the  countenance  and  manner  of  the  speaker  were 
changed  from  joyful  to  sad;  his  trembling  accents  ex- 
pressed the  weight  of  anguish  which  pressed  his  heart; 
his  eyes,  which  had  just  glowed  with  delight,  now  looked 
terrible  things,  as  he  saw  the  lost  soul  taking  its  downward 
plunge  to  endless  perdition.  Then  elevating  his  voice  to 
its  utmost  extent,  throwing  his  whole  soul  into  his  subject, 
and  at  the  same  time  bringing  his  foot  with  all  his  might 
down  upon  the  floor  of  the  stand,  he  exclaimed,  with  fear- 
ful energy:  'And  in  hell  he  lifted  up  his  eyes,  being 
in  torment,  and  seeth  Abraham  afar  off,  and  Lazarus  in 
his  bosom.'  Cold  chills  ran  all  over  us,  the  hair  seemed 
to  rise  upon  our  heads,  and  the  flesh  to  crawl  upon  our 
bones,  while  groans  of  pity  and  shrieks  of  horror  com- 
mingled around  us,  like  the  startling  tones  of  a  sweeping 
tempest,  attended  with  a  shock  of  Divine  power  as  sensi- 
bly felt  as  if  it  had  been  the  tread  of  an  earthquake. 
And,  after  all,  his  oratory  was  not  the  result  of  a  studied 
art,  but  of  nature  inspired  by  grace,  leaving  a  conviction 
that  he  was  not  only  one  of  nature's  noblemen,  with  a 
clear  head  and  warm  heart,  but  that  he  was  an  able  min- 
ister of  the  New  Testament,  commissioned  from  Heaven 
as  an  embassador  of  Christ,  beseeching  sinners  to  be 
reconciled  to  him.  Though  I  was  but  a  youth  when  the 
scene  transpired,  all  the  changes  of  thirty-eight  years  have 
not  been  able  to  obliterate  from  my  memory  the  impression 
which  it  produced.  The  name  of  that  distinguished  indi- 
vidual was  James  Quinn,  of  precious  memory." 

During  the  four  years  Mr.  Quinn  presided  on  this  dis- 
trict, the  work  was  greatly  expanded,  and  at  the  close 
sixteen  charges  were  formed  in  pretty  much  the  same 
territory.     Two  districts  were  constituted,  one  called  Ohio, 


I. II  K  AND  LABORS  01  .iamks  qttnn.  1  15 

and  assigned  to  Jacob  Young,  presiding  elder,  tin'  other 
retaining  the  old  aame,  of  which  David  Young  had  the 
charg 

It  appears  there  was  also  a  great  enlargement  of  the 
work,  and  an  increase  of  charges,  in  the  southern  part  of 
the  conference;  so  that  at  this  session,  held  at  Chilicothc  in 
the  fall  of  1812,  a  new  district  was  formed,  called  Scioto, 
and  Mr.  Quinn  was  appointed  to  it.  The  following  cir- 
cuita  were  embraced  in  his  district;  namely,  Deer  Creek, 
Pickaway,  Delaware,  Paint  Creek,  Brush  Creek,  Scioto, 
and  Salt  Creek.  On  this  district  Mr.  Quinn  presided  four 
years,  and  was  well  received,  both  by  the  ministry  and 
membership  of  his  charge,  and  was  useful.  The  quarterly 
and  camp  meetings  at  which  he  labored  were  usually  sea- 
sons of  great  interest  and  much  enjoyment.  Very  few 
now  linger  in  these  bounds  who  report  themselves  as  hav- 
ing been  rescued  from  the  empire  of  darkness  and  em- 
braced in  the  bright  rolls  of  salvation,  during  Mr.  Quinn's 
continuance  as  their  presiding  elder — say  from  the  autumn 
of  1812  to  the  fall  of  1816:  the  most  of  them  have  passed 
into  the  spirit-land,  and,  we  trust,  have  a  better  inherit- 
ance. 

While  on  this  district,  and  during  our  last  war  with 
England,  a  part  of  the  army  for  a  time  was  stationed  at 
Chilicothe,  and  Mr.  Quinn  was  often  called  to  visit  the 
sick  and  dying  soldiers.  In  this  work  of  mercy  he  had 
special  delight.  Among  them  was  a  young  man  who  re- 
ceived, through  the  instruction  and  prayers  of  this  man 
of  God,  a  clear  conviction  for  sin,  and  felt  deeply  his  need 
of  a  Savior,  though  he  did  not  manifest  it  at  the  time 
After  the  lapse  of  many  years  he  met  Mr.  Quinn  at  a  large 
meeting,  and  made  himself  known  as  one  of  the  sick 
soldiers  he  conversed  with  and  prayed  for  in  the  camp  at 
Chilicothe.  He  then  added,  "From  the  time  you  prayed 
for  me  I  had  no  rest  for  my  soul,  till  I  sought  and  found 


116  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

joy  and  peace  in  believing."  He  had  then  a  large  family, 
and  was  a  happy  and  useful  member  of  the  Church,  press- 
ing toward  the  high  mark  of  holiness  and  heaven.  No 
doubt  many  similar  cases  of  awakening  and  conversion 
occurred  through  the  pulpit  labors  and  pastoral  visits  of 
Mr.  Quinn,  of  which  he  never  was  informed  on  earth. 
But  they  will  all  be  manifest  in  the  light  of  eternity,  and 
appear  as  stars  in  the  crown  of  his  rejoicing  forever  in 
heaven. 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  <>l  INN.  117 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

Historical  account  of  Methodism  in  the  valley  of  the  Ohio  and 
its  tributaries — Notice  of  camp  meetings  as  held  in  early  times — 
Valedictory — Attends  the  General  conference  of  1816— Account 

of  that  session — Leaves  Baltimore  for  the  west — Extreme  illne 

Mrs.  Quinn  meets  him  at  Cumberland — Thrilling  incident — Closes 
his  four  years  on  the  district — Poor  health — Made  supernumer- 
ary—  Appointed  in  charge  of  Fairfield  circuit — Teaches  the  people 
publicly,  and  from  house  to  house — Pastoral  visits — Their  salutary 
effects — Duty  and  encouragement  of  ministers  to  be  faithful  pas- 
tors— Pursues  the  wanderer — An  incident — Appointed  to  Picka- 
way circuit — Stationed  in  Cincinnati — Reappointed — Attends  the 
General  conference  in  1820 — Account  of  the  conference — The 
cause  of  education  and  of  missions  receive  a  powerful  impetus — 
A  remarkable  dream — Fulfilled  as  he  interpreted  it  next  morn- 
ing— Honorable  course  of  the  bishop  elect — Stationed  two  years 
in  Chilicothe — Long  and  dangerous  illness — Appointed  to  Deer 
Creek  circuit — Family  remains  in  Chilicothe — Death  of  his  wife — 
Greatly  affected  by  the  bereavement — Poem  composed  after  her 
death — Travels  for  the  benefit  of  his  health — Letter  to  Mr.  Wil- 
liams— Appointed  to  Brush  Creek  circuit — Attends  the  General 
conference  in  lv'34 — British  delegates — Petitions  for  a  lay  delega- 
tion—  Flection  of  bishops — Letters  to  Mr.  Williams — A  year  of 
trial — Solicitude  for  his  motherless  daughters — Extracts  of  sundry 
letters  to  two  of  them — Severe  affliction — Sweet  submission. 

In  April,  1840,  Mr.  Quinn  communicated  to  tlie  West- 
ern Christian  Advocate  much  historical  and  other  matter, 
a  part  of  which  I  will  present  to  the  reader.  Referring 
to  his  union  with  the  Western  conference  in  1804,  he  says, 
"This  transfer  gave  me  an  opportunity  of  being  an  eye 
and  ear  witness  of  many  things  connected  with  the  early 
history  of  Methodism  in  that  part  of  the  state  of  Ohio, 
extending  on  the  Ohio  river  from  the  mouth  of  Beaver 
river  to  the  town  of  Ripley;  also  extending  up  the  Scioto, 
Hockhocking,  and  the  Muskingum  valleys,  and  embracing 
the  circuits  on  the  other  side  of  the  Ohio,  and  extending 
up  the   Sandy,  the  Guyandotte,   and   the  Big  and   Little 


118  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

Kanawha  valleys;  as,  also,  Middle  Island  and  Fishing 
Creek  valleys.  This  being  the  case,  it  might  be  expected 
that  I  should  furnish  much  interesting  matter  for  the  his- 
torian or  to  posterity.  I  am  saved,  however,  from  this 
labor  by  others  more  competent  to  the  task,  so  that  little 
is  left  for  me  to  do.  The  reader  will  find,  in  the  Meth- 
odist Magazine  for  1821,  over  the  signature  of  Theophi- 
lus  Arminius,  extracts  from  the  manuscript  journal  of  Rev. 
Henry  Smith.  I  was  one  of  a  committee  appointed  by  the 
conference  to  examine,  revise,  amend,  and  forward  matter 
for  publication  in  the  Magazine.  I  examined  this  manu- 
script journal  with  care,  and  found  it  very  correct,  and 
placed  it  in  the  hands  of  T.  A.,  who  was  then  writing  his 
interesting  sketches  for  our  only  periodical.  The  Scioto 
circuit  I  traveled  in  1806,  and  found  that  the  boundary,  as 
laid  out  by  Smith,  had  not  been  enlarged,  but  many  new 
preaching-places  had  been  taken  in,  and  many  large  socie- 
ties had  been  formed;  and  such  has  been  the  success  and 
increase  of  Methodism  in  that  section  of  country,  that 
what  is  now  denominated  Chilicothe  district  covers  but  a 
part  of  one  small  circuit  more  than  was  embraced  in 
brother  Smith's  old  Scioto  circuit.  Then  there  was  but 
the  voice  of  'one  crying  in  the  wilderness,'  but  now  there 
are  eighteen  laborers  in  this  delightful  section  of  the  Lord's 
vineyard,  and  work  enough  for  them  all,  especially  if  they 
will  do  the  pastoral  work  assigned  them  in  our  excellent 
Discipline.  But  if  they  will  not  do  this,  they  ought  to 
quit  eating  the  Church's  bread,  and  go  to  some  other 
business.  In  this  lovely  district  I  had  the  pleasure  of 
laboring  for  the  last  three  years,  and  of  viewing  upon  the 
spot  the  improvements  of  more  than  the  third  of  a  century. 
During  those  three  years  I  attended  one  hundred  and  five 
quarterly  and  camp  meetings,  missing  but  two  in  three 
years,  and  upon  an  average  held  two  meetings  per  week 
between  the  quarterly  meetings.     And  0,  it  was  refreshing 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  1  19 

to  my  spirit,  at  those  meetings,  to  meet  with  the  few  of  my 
old  friends  who  yet  remain,  with  many  of  their  descend- 
ants on  their  way  with  their  parents  to  a  better  country. 
Often  did  I  think  if  brothers  Smith,  Bowman,  Oglesby, 
etc.,  were  here  with  me,  they  would,  with  glowing  hearts, 
unite  in  the  exclamation,  'What  hath  God  wrought!'  and 
then  shout  glory!  Well,  dear  Sciotoans,  though  you  may 
have  many  competent  instructors  in  Christ,  'yet  have  ye 
not  many  fathers.' 

"Brother  T.  A.  has  also  furnished  a  very  correct  and 
comprehensive  outline  of  the  rise  of  Methodism,  of  the 
formation  of  circuits,  and  extension  of  the  work  up  the 
Ohio  from  the  Scioto  valley,  embracing  the  settlements  on 
the  tributary  streams  on  both  sides  of  the  river.  I  know 
this  account  to  be  correct  from  personal  observation;  and 
if  labors  have  been  performed,  and  sufferings  endured,  in 
clearing  and  cultivating  this  part  of  the  Lord's  heritage,  I 
thank  my  divine  Master  that  he  hath  honored  me  with  a 
share  in  both.  In  each  of  the  fields  of  labor  noticed  by 
T.  A.,  it  may  be  safely  asserted,  that,  during  the  last  thirty 
to  forty  years,  thousands  of  redeemed  sinners  have  been 
called,  justified,  adopted,  sanctified,  glorified,  and  taken 
home  to  heaven;  while  thousands  more,  to  the  third  or 
fourth  generation,  still  on  the  way,  around  the  Gospel 
board  appear,  and  sing  the  Lamb  in  hymns  below.  Bless 
the  Lord,  0,  my  soul,  for  what  my  eyes  have  seen!  If  the 
men  that  labored  and  suffered  here  were  unlearned  in  the 
classics,  and,  therefore,  in  the  judgment  of  some,  incom- 
petent  ministers,  yet  hath  the  great  Head  of  the  Church, 
through  their  instrumentality,  given  to  his  Church  and  the 
world  many  competent  ministers,  who  have  been,  and  still 
are,  both  burning  and  shining  lights.  If  Chenango  circuit, 
formed  in  1800  by  Peter  B.  Davis,  gave  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  her  senior  bishop,  Guyandotte,  formed 
in   1803  by  William  Steel,  and  traveled  in   1804  by  Asa 


120  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

Shinn,  has  furnished  her  with  her  junior  bishop;*  and  if 
Kanawha,  Muskingum,  Hockhocking,  etc.,  have  not  sent 
out  bishops,  they  have  sent  out  scores  of  deacons  and 
elders,  and  among  them  a  goodly  number  of  scholars  and 
professional  men;  but  the  preacher-making  prerogative  still 
belongs  to  Christ.     0,  Methodists,  never  forget  this! 

"  But  it  is  time  for  me  to  begin  to  draw  to  a  close.  I  will 
first,  however,  notice  camp  meetings,  as  a  means  approved 
of  God,  and  resulting  in  a  vast  amount  of  good.  I  may 
have  attended  and  superintended  one  hundred  and  thirty 
or  forty  of  these  meetings,  and  witnessed  most  powerful 
displays  of  God's  amazing  grace,  in  the  conviction  and 
happy  conversion  of  some  thousands  of  blood-bought 
souls.  At  first  we  used  to  erect  two  stands,  with  seats  at 
each — one  in  the  encampment,  and  the  other  some  twenty 
or  thirty  rods  distant,  and  no  altar  at  either.  At  these  we 
had  preaching  alternately  through  the  day,  but  only  the 
one  in  the  encampment  was  illuminated  and  occupied  at 
night.  Each  public  service  was  followed  by  a  prayer  meet- 
ing, which  was  not  to  be  broken  off  to  make  way  for  preach- 
ing, but  the  trumpet  was  sounded  at  the  other  stand, 
whither  all  who  wished  to  hear  preaching  were  wont  to 
repair.  Here,  also,  a  prayer  meeting  ensued,  and  so 
alternately  through  the  day.  There  were  no  altars,  no 
mourners'  benches,  or  anxious  seats,  in  those  days,  nor 
were  any  invitations  given  to  seekers  of  salvation  to  pre- 
sent themselves  for  the  prayers  of  the  Church;  but  soon 
after  the  commencement  of  the  prayer  meeting,  praying 
and  singing  groups  and  circles  were  seen  and  heard 
throughout  the  encampment,  even  to  the  outskirts  of  the 
congregation;  and  there  was  no  great  difficulty  in  keeping 
pretty  good  order,  for  an  awful  sense  of  the  majesty  and 
glory  of  God  often  appeared  to  pervade  the  whole  assem- 
bly. As  an  evidence  of  the  great  good  resulting  from 
*  Allusion  is  here  made  to  Bishops  Roberts  and  Morris. 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES   Q1  I  NX.  121 

cam])  meetings,  it  is  a  fact,  that  a  large  proportion  <>f  the 
members,  and  many  eminently-useful  ministers  in  the 
western  country,  have  been  brought  to  a  knowledge  of 
salvation  at  these  meetings.  An  opinion  now  prevails,  to 
some  extent,  that  these  meetings  should  be  discontinued, 
and  their  place  supplied  with  what  are  called  'protracted 
meetings.'  These,  however,  are  not  so  coin,  nient  for 
country  places  as  arc  camp  meetings,  and  would  become 
more  oppressive  on  the  neighborhood  where  they  might  be 
held,  except  the  people  attending  from  a  distance  should 
bring  their  provisions,  both  for  man  and  beast,  with  them, 
and  this  "would  be  attended  with  more  inconvenience  than 
an  outfit  for  camp  meeting;  so  that,  in  my  humble  opinion, 
well-protected,  well-directed  camp  meetings  have  the 
preference. 

"  Permit  me  now,  in  conclusion,  to  say  to  those,  and  the 
descendants  of  those  among  whom  I  have  gone,  lo  these 
many  years,  preaching  the  kingdom  of  God,  'Finally,  breth- 
ren, farewell.'  The  high  probability  is,  wTe  shall  see  each 
other's  faces  again  in  time  no  more.  But,  cheering 
thought!  it  is  full  of  immortality!  'The  stars  shall  fade 
away,  the  sun  himself  grow  dim  with  age,  and  nature  sink 
in  years;  but  these  imperishable  souls  of  ours  shall  flourish 
in  immortal  youth;  yea,  our  flesh  shall  rest  in  hope,  till 
Gabriel's  trumpet  shall  wake  our  sleeping  dust.  Then 
will  Christ  be  glorified  in  his  saints;  then  shall  the  re- 
deemed be  caught  up  together  in  the  clouds  to  meet  the 
Lord  in  the  air.  Then  shall  arise  the  shout  from  all  who 
have  washed  their  robes,  and  made  them  white  in  the 
blood  of  the  Lamb,  To  Him  that  hath  loved  us,  and  washed 
us  from  our  sins  in  his  own  blood,  unto  him  be  glory  and 
dominion  forever  and  ever.  Amen!'  Halleluiah!  There 
your  own  friend,  and  the  friend  of  your  fathers,  hopeth  to 
meet  and  unite  with  you." 

Being  elected  a  delegate  by  the   Ohio  conference,  Mr. 
11 


122  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

Quinn  attended  the  General  conference  held  in  Baltimore, 
May  1,  1316.  In  some  respects  this  was  an  important 
session  of  that  body.  After  the  conference  was  organized, 
Bishop  M'Kendree,  who,  by  the  death  of  Bishop  Asbury, 
was  the  only  surviving  superintendent,  delivered  an  ad- 
dress to  the  conference  on  the  general  state  of  the  work, 
and  the  necessity  of  their  electing  more  bishops,  that  the 
plan  of  our  itinerant  general  superintendency  might  be 
more  fully  accomplished.  In  compliance  with  this  recom- 
mendation, on  May  14th,  Enoch  George  and  Robert  Rich- 
ford  Roberts  were  elected  to  the  office  of  bishop,  and 
being  consecrated  in  due  form,  they  soon  entered  upon 
their  important  work. 

A  committee  of  safety  was  appointed  at  this  session  of 
the  General  conference,  who  made  an  important  report  in 
relation  to  erroneous  doctrines,  which  were  insinuating 
themselves  into  the  Church;  that  in  some  places  the  build- 
ing of  houses  of  worship  with  pews  to  rent  or  sell  was 
gaining  an  ascendency;  and  that  the  rules  on  dress,  and 
the  manner  of  supporting  the  ministry,  were  too  much 
neglected.  Added  to  this  report,  the  conference  adopted 
seven  well-timed  resolutions  of  great  interest  to  the  Church. 
This  report  was  ordered  to  be  recorded  on  the  journals 
of  the  several  annual  conferences;  and  the  writer  is  of  the 
opinion  that  the  design  was  that  it  should  be  read  to  the 
conference  at  each  annual  session.  He,  however,  never 
heard  it  read  but  once,  and  that  was  in  1817. 

At  this  session  of  the  General  conference  some  changes 
were  made  in  the  Discipline,  respecting  the  licensing  of 
local  preachers,  the  manner  in  which  exhorters  should 
receive  authority  to  exercise  their  gifts,  and  circuit  stew- 
ards were  made  responsible  to  the  quarterly  meeting  con- 
ference "for  the  faithful  performance  of  their  duties." 

As  the  two  bishops  who  had  been  elected  were  men  of 


LIFE  AM>  LABORS  ok  JAMES  QI  i.vv  123 

families,  provision  was  made  to  estimate  and  defray  their 
family  expenses. 

The  conference  renewed  the  order  for  the  publication  of 
the  Methodist  Magazine,  in  monthly  numbers  of  forty 
octavo  pages  each.  It  was,  however,  not  commenced 
till  1818. 

Mr.  Quinn  no  doubt  acted  well  bis  part  as  a  member  of 
this  Genera)  conference,  as  he  was  esteemed  by  the  confer- 
ence  electing  him  an  efficient,  judicious,  and  safe  delegate 
to  represent  them  in  that  body,  and  to  guard  and  promote 
all  the  interests  of  our  beloved  Methodism. 

After  the  close  of  the  General  conference  he  left  Balti- 
more, and  on  his  return  to  his  homeward  field  of  labor  he 
suffered  a  most  violent  and  dangerous  attack  of  inflamma- 
tory rheumatism.  Many  of  his  friends  in  the  west  relin- 
quished all  hope  of  ever  seeing  him  again  on  earth,  having 
received,  as  they  supposed,  a  pretty  well-authenticated 
report  of  his  death.  He  was  first  confined  sixteen  miles 
east  of  Cumberland,  Md.  His  physician,  who  resided  at 
Cumberland,  for  the  benefit  of  his  patient  and  for  his  own 
convenience,  in  a  short  time  had  him  brought  on  a  bed  in 
a  carriage  into  town.  Here  lie  lay  for  several  weeks,  and 
endured  indescribable  pain  and  bodily  suffering.  Mrs. 
Quinn  hearing  of  his  extreme  illness,  and  where  he  was 
confined,  late  in  the  evening,  set  off  the  next  morning  on 
horseback,  accompanied  by  her  brother-in-law,  Rev.  Job 
Baker,  and  in  five  days  reached  Cumberland.  She  found 
her  husband  exceedingly  low;  but  it  was  thought  he  had 
ed  the  crisis  in  his  disease  and  was  improving  some. 
Aiter  Mrs.  Quinn's  excitement  subsided,  she  became  sen- 
sible of  her  fatigue,  and  was  almost  sick  herself.  In  about 
six  weeks  he  was  able  to  start  for  home,  and  after  a  tedious 
journey  he  arrived  in  safety,  and,  as  far  as  he  was  able, 
entered  upon  the  labors  of  his  district. 


1  24  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

Many  years  after  this  severe  season  of  affliction,  a  lady 
met  him  in  the  market-space  in  Chilicothe,  and  inquired  if 
he  was  a  Methodist  preacher.  He  answered,  "I  am." 
She  continued,  "Were  you  not  once  confined  a  long  time 
by  sickness  in  Cumberland?"  He  said  he  was.  She  next 
inquired,  ''Do  you  remember  a  little  girl  who  sat  by  your 
bedside  and  kept  the  flies  off  of  you?"  He  replied,  "I 
remember  there  was  a  little  girl  who  did  me  that  kindness." 
Then  said  the  lady,  "I  am  that  little  girl."  The  sudden 
emotion  of  gratitude  gushing  from  the  deep  fountains  of 
his  heart,  was  so  strong  that  he  was  carried  almost  out  of 
himself,  and,  forgetting  where  he  was,  his  grave  and  dig- 
nified character  well-nigh  suffered  in  the  manifestations  of 
the  grateful  emotions  of  his  heart. 

In  the  fall  of  1816  Mr.  Quinn  closed  his  four  years  of 
labor  and  suffering  on  the  Scioto  district,  and  many  of  his 
brethren  thought  he  was  nearly  "run  doivn."  The  con- 
ference placed  him  in  a  supernumerary  relation;  yet  Bishop 
M'Kendree  appointed  him  in  charge  of  Fairfield  circuit, 
remarking  to  him,  pleasantly,  "This  is  rather  novel;  but 
so  let  it  be;  you  will  do  the  best  you  can."  This  circuit 
was  in  the  Muskingum  district,  and  near  his  residence. 
This  appointment  might  have  been  viewed  as  an  accommo- 
dation. If  so,  it  will  be  sufficient  to  say,  that  he  justly 
deserved  it;  and  no  doubt  the  people  of  that  circuit  con- 
sidered it  an  accommodation  to  them  to  have  such  a  pastor. 
He  was  not  only  a  good  minister  in  the  pulpit,  but, with  all 
his  experience,  and  skillful  tact,  he  must  have  been  well 
qualified  for  the  pastoral  charge  of  a  circuit.  Truly,  he 
was  "apt  to  teach,"  and  taught  the  people  "publicly  and 
from  house  to  house."  He  was  particularly  attentive  to 
the  poor  of  his  charge.  He  found  his  way  to  many  of 
their  cabins,  and  in  their  family  circles  kneeled  upon  the 
earthen  or  puncheon  floor,  and  prayed  for  the  present  and 
eternal  salvation  of  the  parents  and  the  children,  and  that 


LI  IE  AND  LABOUR  OF  JAMJBS   Ql  UN.  126 

there  might  be  a  Beed  to  serve  God  in  the  family  to  the 
end  of  time.  Many  who  may  read  his  life  will  remember, 
with  heart-felt  satisfaction,  his  pastoral  visits  to  their  hum- 
ble habitations,  soon  after  their  arrival  in  the  new  country, 
or  their  first  settlement  after  marriage.  While  memory 
holds  its  seat  in  the  mind,  they  never  can  forget  how  he 
instructed,  encouraged,  and  comforted  them,  amidst  the 
peculiar  trials,  bereavements,  temptations,  and  persecutions 
tn  which  they  were  exposed,  and  suffered  at  that  period  of 
the  history  of  Methodism  and  the  settlement  of  the  west- 
ern region.  How  often  has  he  quoted  and  applied  to  the 
grief-torn  bosom  and  troubled  heart  "the  exceeding  great 
and  precious  promises"  of  God's  word!  In  those  promises 
was  found,  by  the  distressed  ones,  who  were  suffering 
"according  to  the  will  of  God," 

"  A  balm  for  every  wound, 
A  cordial  for  every  fear." 

When  he  had  sung  that  beautiful  and  appropriate  hymn, 

"  Though  troubles  assail,  and  dangers  affright, 
Though  friends  should  all  fail,  and  foes  all  unite, 
Yet  one  thing  secures  us,  whatever  betide, 
The  promise  assures  us,  'The  Lord  will  provide,'  " 

and  offered  up  prayer  suited  to  the  wants  of  all  present, 
every  one  felt  that  he  was  a  man  of  God,  and  the  minister 
of  unspeakable  good  to  them.  On  leaving  he  would  take 
each  one  by  the  hand  and  "commend  them  to  God  and  to 
the  word  of  his  grace,"  as  his  parting  blessing. 

After  this  messenger  of  mercy  had  retired  from  the 
house  of  mourning,  having  so  fully  accomplished  his  mis- 
sion, may  Ave  not  suppose  that  the  poor  man,  the  widow 
and  fatherless,  the  aged  and  infirm,  the  afflicted  and  be- 
reaved, and  the  distressed  of  every  description,  were  ready 
to  say,  and  encouraged  to  believe,  thai 
••  Earth  bntb  no  Borrow  that  hea^ 

Let  the  minister  who  reads  this  contemplate  what  an 
11* 


126  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

extensive  field  for  usefulness  is  presented  to  him  as  a  pas- 
tor; and  will  he  not  be  greatly  stimulated,  and  encouraged 
in  his  pastoral  work?  Those  who  visit  their  flocks  much, 
and  are  skillful  and  faithful  pastors,  never  fail  to  have  their 
charges  in  a  healthy  and  prosperous  condition.  But,  what 
is  still  more  encouraging  ''when  the  chief  Shepherd 
shall  appear,  they  shall  receive  a  crown  of  glory  that  fadeth 
not  away." 

Mr.  Quinn  had  great  zeal  and  affection  to  pursue  the 
wanderer  and  bring  him  back  to  the  fold.  On  one  of  his 
circuits,  I  can  not  say  which,  the  leader  reported  to  him 
two  members,  a  man  and  his  wife,  who  had  neglected  their 
class  meetings  for  some  time,  and,  as  they  were  in  health, 
he  supposed  they  were  willfully  delinquent.  Mr.  Q.  had 
not  been  very  long  on  the  circuit,  and  neither  of  them  had 
seen  him.  After  obtaining  direction,  and  having  their 
house  definitely  described,  he  set  off  to  make  them  a  pas- 
toral visit.  Being  received  into  the  dwelling  and  seated, 
he  informed  the  lady  that  he  was  seeking  some  lost  sheep. 
She  inquired  how  many  he  had  lost.  He  replied,  "Two 
have  wandered  off  in  this  direction."  By  this  time  the 
gentleman  had  come  in.  His  wife,  addressing  him,  said, 
"This  stranger  is  searching  for  two  sheep  which  he  has 
lost;  have  you  seen  any  stray  sheep  about  the  farm?"  He 
said  he  had  not,  and  inquired  how  long  they  had  been 
missing.  Mr.  Quinn  specified  some  time,  making  it  to 
agree  with  the  time  they  had  neglected  their  meetings. 
The  gentleman  promptly  answered,  "It  is  useless  to  make 
further  search;  for  if  they  have  been  gone  so  long,  there 
can  be  no  doubt  but  the  wolves  or  dogs  have  killed  them." 
Mr.  Q.  said  he  hoped  they  were  not  yet  quite  dead,  though 
they  might  be  in  great  danger.  The  lady,  taking  the  hint, 
said,  "Old  man,  he  has  come  after  us;  I  guess  this  is  our 
new  preacher."  This  brought  the  answer,  that  he  was, 
indeed,  their  pastor,  and   had  come  in  search  of  them. 


II!  K  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QIINN.  127 

With  this  introduction  he  performed  his  duty,  conversing 
plainly  and  faithfully  with  those  two  members  of  his  Hock, 
and  tenderly  and  fervently  prayed  with  and  for  them.  It 
was  said  tin  y  were  both  happily  restored  to  the  fold,  and 
continued  faithful  in  their  attendance  upon  all  the  ordi- 
nances of  God  while  they  lived. 

In  the  fall  of  1817  he  was  appointed  to  Pickaway  cir- 
cuit. This  circuit  lay  on  the  east  side  of  the  Scioto,  and 
was  not  very  remote  from  his  residence. 

In  1818  he  was  stationed  in  Cincinnati.  His  familv, 
which  had  been  stationary  for  sixteen  years,  had  now,  of 
course,  to  be  removed  to  the  city.  The  station  furnished 
them  a  house  and  ample  provision  for  fuel  and  table  ex- 
penses. 

The  next  year  he  wras  reappointed  to  Cincinnati,  having 
Rev.  Truman  Bishop  associated  with  him,  which  was  the 
first  year  that  city  ever  had  more  than  one  stationed 
preacher.  Mr.  Quinn  was  well  received  in  the  city,  and 
useful. 

During  Mr.  Quinn's  second  year  in  this  city,  he  at- 
tended the  General  conference,  held  in  Baltimore,  May  1, 
1820,  of  which  he  was  a  member.  Bishops  M'Kendree, 
George,  and  Roberts,  were  present  at  the  opening  of  the 
session.  Bishop  M'Kendree,  however,  was  in  such  poor 
health  that  he  could  preside  but  little;  but  aided  his  col- 
leagues, as  his  health  would  allow,  in  guiding  the  counsels 
of  the  conference.  Many  important  subjects  were  sub- 
mitted by  the  bishops  to  the  consideration  of  that  body. 
On  account  of  the  great  enlargement  of  the  work  in  various 
directions,  business  had  accumulated  much  since  the  last 
session.  The  troubles  in  our  societies  in  Upper  Canada, 
on  account  of  the  interference  of  the  British  missionaries, 
en^a^ed  for  a  time  the  attention  of  the  conference,  which 
resulted,  with  other  measures,  in  requesting  the  bishops 
to  appoint  a  delegate  to  the  British  conference,  to  be  held 


128  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

in  the  following  July.  Rev.  John  Emory  was  appointed, 
who,  in  addition  to  the  existing  difficulties  in  Canada,  was 
instructed  to  convey  to  the  British  conference  the  affection- 
ate attachment  of  the  American  General  conference  to  their 
Wesleyan  brethren  in  England,  and  to  request  a  regular 
interchange  of  delegates  from  one  connection  to  the  other. 
The  cause  of  education  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
received  a  powerful  impetus  at  this  conference,  which  has 
gradually  increased  to  the  present  time. 

This  conference  adopted  the  Missionary  Society  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  which  had  been  previously 
organized  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and,  with  a  revised 
constitution,  made  it  their  own.  This  great  moral  machine 
has  operated  ever  since  with  glorious  success,  both  in  our 
own  country  and  in  foreign  lands.  Of  late  years  an 
interesting  feature  has  been  developed  in  our  successful 
missions  among  the  immigrant  Germans  of  America,  and 
in  sending:  several  missionaries  to  the  father-land.  At 
the  latest  dates  our  mission  in  Germany  had  realized  unex- 
ampled success,  and  furnished  the  prospect  of  still  greater 
things.  Many  eyes  are  now  turned  toward  the  country  of 
Luther  and  the  Reformation,  and  many  hearts  are  lifted  to 
God  in  fervent  prayer  for  the  success  of  our  mission  in 
that  region. 

The  following  may  be  worthy  of  record,  as  connected 
with  the  life  of  Mr.  Quinn;  and  as  it  embraces  a  very 
remarkable  dream,  in  connection  with  the  history  of  that 
General  conference,  it  may  interest  the  reader,  if  it  should 
not  edify  him.  Rev.  Joshua  Soule  had  been  elected  bishop, 
and  the  day  appointed  for  his  ordination.  They  had  just 
closed  a  warm  debate  in  relation  to  the  question  of  making 
presiding  elders  elective  by  the  annual  conferences,  and 
many  of  the  members  had  taken  part  in  the  discussion 
under  considerable  excitement.  In  view  of  these  circum- 
stances, Bishop  Roberts  had  an  interview  with  Mr.  Quinn, 


LIFE  AND   LABORS  OF  JAMES  QII.N.V.  129 

and  remarked  to  him,  "I  think  you  are  the  most  suitable 
person  we  can  select  to  preach  the  ordination  sermon 
to-morrow,  and  I  wish  you  to  perform  that  service."  He 
very  reluctantly  consented,  and  applied  himself  to  some 
preparation  for  the  important  duty  to  which  he  considered 
himself  officially  called.  He  read  and  studied  late  that 
evening,  and  retired  to  rest  about  midnight.  In  his  sleep 
he  had  the  dream  alluded  to,  which  I  recorded  from  his 
own  lips,  and  when  I  had  read  it  to  him  he  pronounced  it 
correct,  as  follows: 

"I  thought  I  was  traveling  somewhere  in  the  western 
country,  and  came  to  a  place  where  an  assembly  of  people 
were  engaged  in  laying  the  foundation  of  a  church.  They 
had  arranged  and  adjusted  three  corners,  and  had  a  stone 
prepared  for  the  fourth.  And,  as  they  asked  me  to  assist 
them,  I  related  the  anecdote  which  is  told  of  Mr.  Fletcher, 
when  the  enterprise  of  building  a  church  was  determined 
on,  and  he  and  the  workmen  reached  the  stone  quarry 
from  which  the  foundation  was  to  be  obtained.  Mr. 
Fletcher  said,  'If  you  will  pause,  we  will  have  prayers;' 
and  then  offered  up  a  most  fervent  prayer  for  the  blessing 
of  God  upon  their  undertaking.  I  then  proposed  to  the 
assembly  that  we  pray;  and,  while  engaged  in  devotion,  I 
was  deeply  affected,  and  prostrating  myself  upon  the 
ground  I  wept  most  profusely.  After  prayer  wTas  ended  I 
rose  up,  and  found  that  the  stone  which  had  been  prepared 
for  the  fourth  corner  had  strangely  turned  into  a  block  of 
wood!  Addressing  the  people,  I  said,  'Brethren,  this  will 
never  do  for  a  foundation;'  and  under  the  distress  of  the 
disappointment  I  awoke.  In  the  morning  I  said  to  He  v. 
Charles  Holliday,  wrho  occupied  the  same  room  with  me, 
'There  will  be  no  bishop  ordained  to-day.'  He  asked  me 
what  reason  I  had  for  an  opinion  in  opposition  to  the  order 
of  the  General  conference.  I  then  related  to  him  my 
dream.      He    replied,    'That   is    certainly    a    remarkable 


130  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

dream!'  At  the  hour  of  meeting,  the  conference  being 
opened  with  the  usual  religious  services,  and  the  journals 
read  and  approved,  Bishop  M'Kendree  presented  his  pro- 
test against  the  action  of  the  General  conference  in  making 
the  presiding  elders  elective  by  the  annual  conferences. 
Then  J.  Soule,  bishop  elect,  arose  and  resigned  his  election 
to  the  office,  and  declined  receiving  ordination.  So  that 
we  made  no  bishop  at  that  General  conference." 

It  may  not  be  amiss  to  add  in  this  connection,  that  the 
views  of  Rev.  Joshua  Soule  were  in  perfect  accordance 
with  those  of  Bishop  M'Kendree,  and  a  very  respectable 
minority  of  that  delegated  body.  He  sincerely  believed 
the  General  conference  had  improperly  interfered  with  the 
legitimate  and  constitutional  prerogative  of  the  Episcopacy, 
and  as  a  consistent  man  he  could  not,  under  the  circum- 
stances, take  upon  himself  the  functions  of  that  holy 
office,  and,  therefore,  declined.  And  it  is  manifest  that 
this  course  did  not  impair  the  standing  of  Mr.  Soule  in  the 
Church,  or  lessen  him  in  the  estimation  of  his  brethren; 
for  at  the  next  session  he  was  elected  and  ordained  bishop, 
and  the  writer  is  assured  that  Mr.  Quinn  voted  for  him. 

Before  the  conference  adjourned,  which  was  May  27th, 
the  resolutions  by  which  presiding  elders  were  made  elect- 
ive were  suspended  for  four  years,  which  indicated  a  change 
in  the  minds  of  some  of  the  members,  after  the  protest  of 
the  senior  bishop  and  the  resignation  of  the  bishop  elect. 

In  1820  and  1821  Mr.  Quinn  was  stationed  in  Chilicothe, 
and  served  the  people  of  that  charge  with  his  usual  ability 
and  fidelity.  The  first  year  he  and  his  family  enjoyed 
health,  but,  at  the  close  of  the  second  year,  his  labors  were 
greatly  interrupted  by  affliction.  He  suffered  a  long  and 
tedious  illness  from  fever.  For  some  weeks  no  hope  was 
entertained  of  his  recovery.  He  endured  for  three  days 
the  hiccough,  which  was  considered  the  certain  precur- 
sor of  death.     Adding  to  all  his  alarming  symptoms,  he 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  131 

suddenly  called  for  something  to  eat,  which  he  eagerly  de- 
voured.    When  his  wife  witnessed  this,  as  she  supposed, 

most  unfavorable  symptom,  she  could  not  restrain  her 
tears,  but  wept  in  his  sight.  Turning  to  her  he  said,  with 
great  confidence,  "I  shall  not  die  now,  but  live."  And 
so  it  was.  From  that  hour,  though  slowly,  he  gradually 
recovered. 

At  the  close  of  his  second  year  in  Chilicothe,  he  was 
appointed  to  Deer  Creek  circuit,  contiguous  to  the  city, 
haying  William  Simmons  for  his  colleague.  He  was  una- 
ble  for  some  months  to  do  any  labor,  could  not  move,  and 
he  and  his  family  continued  to  share  of  the  hospitality 
and  generous  aid  of  the  people  of  Chilicothe. 

On  the  first  of  January,  1823,  Mrs.  Quinn  died  in  peace. 
She  was  a  woman  of  deep  and  uniform  piety,  patient  in 
suffering,  and  cheerfully  endured  the  toils  and  privations, 
incident  to  the  wife  of  an  itinerant  Methodist  minister, 
nineteen  years  and  eight  months,  without  a  murmur. 
Truly  she  possessed  "the  ornament  of  a  meek  and  quiet 
spirit,  which  is  in  the  sight  of  God  of  great  price."  The 
heart  of  her  husband  safely  trusted  in  her;  and  her  chil- 
dren rose  up  and  called  her  blessed. 

This  severe  bereavement  seems  to  have  affected  Mr. 
Quinn  exceedingly,  and  perhaps  the  more  so  on  account 
of  the  feeble  state  of  his  owrn  health.  Those  alone  who 
have  drank  of  the  same  cup  of  sorrow,  can  fully  appre- 
ciate the  deep  anguish  of  his  heart,  occasioned  by  the 
death  of  a  wrife  so  estimable  and  so  much  endeared  to  his 
soul. 

Soon  after  the  death  of  his  beloved  companion,  Mr. 
Quinn  composed  the  following  poem,  which  sets  forth  the 
high  estimate  he  placed  upon  her  excellent  character,  and 
how  much  he  felt  the  great  loss  sustained  in  her  death. 

In  reference  to  the  poetical  merits  of  the  piece,  it  is  true 
nothing    very   laudatory  can   be    said.      Poetry,   however, 


132  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

frequently  consists  as  much  in  its  real  fire  of  composition, 
as  in  its  studied  measure  and  fine,  flowing  rhyme: 

"  A  solitary  mourner, 

I  roam  from  place  to  place, 
My  heart  oppress 'd  with  sorrow, 

While  tears  steal  down  my  face. 
I  think  of  former  seasons, 

And  call  the  years  to  mind 
When  bless 'd  with  a  loved  partner, 

Affectionate  and  kind; 
Who  shared  with  me  my  sorrows, 

And  comforted  my  heart 
With  looks  and  words  of  softness, 

Which  proved  she  bore  a  part. 
My  honor  she  defended, 

My  faults  she  never  told; 
Our  hearts  in  one  were  blended, 

The  cord,  it  was  twofold. 
By  nature  formed  for  friendship, 

We  loved  when  first  we  met ; 
The  day  of  consummation 

We  never  did  regret. 
Our  hearts  and  hands  united, 

Sweet  counsel  still  we  took; 
She  ne'er  by  me  was  slighted, 

I  ne'er  felt  her  rebuke. 
In  youth  we  were  awaken'd, 

We  sought  for  joy  and  peace, 
And  through  a  Savior's  merits, 

Obtained  converting  grace. 
The  Savior  who  redeemed  us 

Now  brought  us  to  his  fold, 
And  with  his  children  precious 

Our  humble  names  enroll'd. 
Thus  unto  Christ  united, 

We  lov'd  as  in  the  Lord, 
And  sought  to  be  directed 
By  his  most  holy  word. 

Thus  happy  in  our  union, 

Near  twenty  years  pass'd  on; 
While  I  proclaim'd  a  Savior, 

She  meekly  staid  at  home. 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OK  JAMES  QUINN.  133 

At  length  that  lovely  Savior, 

Who  guided  her  in  youl h, 
Said  to  her,  '  ( !ome  up  hil  her, 

Thou  hasl  endured  enough!' 

She  meekly  Baid,  '  I  love  him, 
Ami  know  thai  he  loves  me: 
Farewell  my  babes  and  husband, 

1  go  my  Christ  to  see!' 

I  Baid,  '  Ami  must  1  yield  thee, 

0,  must  I  with  thee  pari ! 
0,  God  of  love,  support  me, 

Or  grief  "will  break  my  heart!' 

She's  gone — she  breathes  no  longer; 

The  vital  spark  is  fled; 
Bright  angels,  they  have  borne  her, 

That  lovely  form  lies  dead! 

I  mourn,  but  do  not  murmur, 

For  Christ  does  all  things  well; 
O,  may  we  meet  in  glory, 

And  there  forever  dwell: 

To  join  the  happy  millions, 

Whose  robes  are  washed  in  blood, 

Escaped  from  sin's  dominion, 
Placed  near  the  throne  of  God!" 

It  appears,  by  some  arrangement  on  account  of  the 
enfeebled  state  of  Mr.  Quinn's  health,  that  he  was  released 
from  his  obligation  as  the  preacher  in  charge  of  Deer 
Creek  circuit,  at  least  for  the  most  of  this  year;  and  he 
spent  most  of  the  spring  and  summer  in  visiting  his  friends 
and  relatives,  and  in  traveling  for  the  benefit  of  his  body 
and  mind,  as  the  following  letter,  addressed  to  his  highly- 
esteemed  friend,  S.  Williams,  of  Chilicothe,  will  indicate: 

"Xashville,  May  3,  1823. 

"  Dear  Brother, — I  think,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  trav- 
eling has  been  beneficial  to  me  both  in  body  and  mind. 
My  health  is  much  improved,  and  my  mind  somewhat 
relieved.  I  will  now  give  you  a  little  sketch  of  my  travels. 
The  Sabbath  after  I  left  you,  I  spent  in  West  Union,  and 
most  of  the  following  week;   preached   three  times;  God 


134  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

is  here!  The  next  Sabbath  I  spent  in  Maysville;  preached 
twice;  they  have  good  times  in  this  place;  sinners  are 
being  converted  to  God.  Wednesday  following  reached 
Auo-usta;  saw  the  Methodist  college;  it  is  a  fine  edifice; 
a  good  society  here;  preached  once;  had  a  good  time. 
Reached  Cincinnati  Saturday;  spent  two  Sabbaths  here; 
preached  five  times;  thirty  have  been  added  in  the  last 
quarter;  the  body  of  the  society  in  peace  and  love;  never- 
theless, I  fear  a  little  of  the  spirit  of  opposition  and  revolt; 
but  a  judicious  administration  might  overcome  this.  The 
next  Sabbath  I  spent  in  Lexington;  preached  twice  here; 
had  pretty  good  times;  no  convictions  or  conversions; 
speculative  preaching  don't  do  much  good  in  any  place. 
0,  what  a  melancholy  state  of  things  is  in  Kentucky  at 
this  time:  a  depreciated  currency;  flour  from  $9  to  $12 
per  barrel;  corn  from  $5  to  $6  per  barrel — very  scarce; 
horses,  cows,  and  hogs  have  starved  to  death  by  hun- 
dreds, and  scarcely  any  prospect  of  harvest.  I  think  in 
half  a  day's  ride  I  have  scarcely  seen  as  much  wheat  as 
would  grow  on  twenty  acres.  O,  how  soon  can  the  Lord 
turn  a  fruitful  land  into  a  howling  wilderness  for  the  wick- 
edness of  the  inhabitants!  0,  highly-favored  Ohio!  but 
let  her  not  boast,  but  be  humble.  Next  Sabbath  spent  at 
Bowling- Green;  preached  once;  found  it  hard  times; 
Methodists  too  gay,  too  much  like  the  world.  Tuesday, 
29th  of  April,  reached  Nashville;  found  my  brother  and 
family  in  good  health.  ...  I  expect  to  continue  here 
two  or  three  weeks,  and  then  start  for  Virginia.  I  hope 
to  reach  Chilicothe  some  time  in  July.  Health  and  peace 
attend  you.  My  respects  to  sister  W.,  and  all  friends." 
September  4,  1823,  the  Ohio  conference  assembled  at 
Urbana.  At  this  session  Mr.  Quinn  was  elected  a  delegate 
to  the  General  conference,  to  be  held  the  following  May 
in  Baltimore,  and  was  appointed  to  Brush  Creek  circuit, 
including  West  Union,  with  R.  0.  Spencer  his  colleague, 


LIFE   AND   LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUIMN.  135 

who  was  in  tlic  first  year  of  his  itinerancy.  The  people 
of  this  circuit  had  desired  him  for  their  pastor,  and  re- 
ceived him  with  great  satisfaction.  Many  of  them  were 
acquainted  with  him  in  years  long  gone  by,  and  had  sin- 
cere sympathy  for  him  in  view  of  his  severe  bereavement, 
lie  served  faithfully  the  people  of  his  charge,  till  he  left 
for  the  General  conference  in  the  spring.  A  Mr.  Craw- 
ford, a  local  preacher  of  the  circuit,  was  employed  to 
supply  his  place  during  his  absence. 

The  General  conference  of  1824  was  still  more  important 
than  the  previous  session.  All  the  bishops  were  present 
at  the  opening  of  the  conference.  Rev.  Richard  Reece, 
the  representative  of  the  Wesleyan  connection  in  England, 
and  his  associated  companion,  Rev.  John  Hannah,  were 
introduced  to  the  General  conference  the  first  day,  and 
made  a  fine  impression. 

Many  petitions  and  memorials  were  received,  praying  for 
a  lay  delegation  to  have  a  seat  in  the  General  conference. 
A  circular  address  was  sent  out  in  reply  to  the  memorial- 
showing  that  the  proposed  change  was  inexpedient,  in 
the  judgment  of  that  body. 

Rev.  Joshua  Soule  and  Rev.  Elijah  Hedding  were  elected 
t<>  the  office  of  bishop,  on  the  26th  of  May,  and  on  the 
27th  they  were  consecrated  by  prayer  and  the  imposition 
of  hands  to  that  great  work. 

On  the  29th  of  May  the  conference  adjourned,  to  meet 
in  the  city  of  Pittsburg,  May  1,  1828. 

During  the  session  of  the  conference  he  addressed  the 
following  letters  to  his  friend,  Mr.  Samuel  Williams,  of 
Chilicothe: 

"Baltimore,  May  3,  1824. 

"Dear  Brother, — You  are,  no  doubt,  looking  toward 
this  city,  and  praying,  not  as  though  the  Deity  were  locally 
resident  here,  but  as  you  feel  a  religious  interest  in  the 
results  of  the  General  conference  now  in  session  here.     At 


136  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

this  incipient  stage  I  can  give  you  but  little  information,  as 
we  are  but  barely  organized — one  hundred  and  ten  mem- 
bers present;  fifteen  absent.  A  most  interesting  scene 
took  place  to-day:  the  British  messenger,  Rev.  Richard 
Reece,  some  time  president  of  the  British  conference,  with 
his  companion,  Mr.  Hannah,  were  introduced  into  the  con- 
ference, escorted  by  Revs.  Bangs  and  Soule.  Reece  is  a 
most  venerable  figure,  say  near  six  feet,  a  little  robust;  his 
head  as  white  as  wool,  his  face  presenting  the  ruddy  hue 
of  thirty-five,  though  he  may  be  sixty;  a  noble  forehead, 
and  an  eye  expressive  of  intelligence  itself;  while  the  whole 
expression  of  the  countenance  is  benignity  and  goodness. 
I  heard  him  preach  yesterday  a  truly-evangelical  sermon — 
no  philosophical  chaff  or  metaphysical  froth — sound  Wes- 
ley anism. 

"The  accounts  from  the  British  connection  are  pleasing. 
They  have  peace  in  all  their  borders.  What  may  take 
place  among  us  I  can  not  say.  If  I  might  hazard  an 
opinion,  it  would  be,  that  no  important  change  will  be 
effected.  Perhaps  the  Episcopacy  will  be  strengthened  by 
the  addition  of  one  or  two  more  bishops." 

"Baltimore,  Mmj  26,  1824. 

"Dear  Brother, — The  doctrine  that  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  has  a  constitution,  has  been  firmly  sus- 
tained by  this  General  conference,  and  nothing  has  been 
suffered  to  pass  that  would  be  an  infringement  of  the 
restrictive  articles;  hence  you  may  perceive  that  no  change 
has  or  will  take  place  in  our  government.  '  The  suspended 
resolutions '  have  been  suspended  four  years  longer. 

"We  have  just  closed  our  election  for  bishops  and 
book  agents.  For  bishops,  on  the  first  ballot,  no  one  was 
elected.  The  second  ballot,  J.  Soule  was  elected;  and  on 
the  third,  E.  Hedding." 

This  was  a  year  of  trial  and  some  affliction  to  Mr.  Quinn. 

The   following  extracts   from  letters   addressed  to  his 


LIFE   AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  137 

daughters  will  Bet  forth,  in  a  most  affecting  light,  how  ex- 
quisitely he  realized  the  great  loss  he  had  Buffered  in  the 
death  of  his  wife,  and  the  indescribable  solicitude  he  felt 
for  his  dear,  motherless  children.  His  beloved  Patience 
left  him  with  five  daughters.  A  man  must  feel  before  he 
can  know  what  the  feeling  is;  and,  unless  the  reader  has 
realized  a  similar  bereavement,  and  been  left  in  charge  of 
live  lovely  little  daughters,  with  very  limited  resources  of 
his  own,  and,  as  a  Methodist  minister,  his  Church  making 
very  trifling  provision  for  the  motherless  loved  ones,  it  can 
not  be  expected  that  he  can  know  the  emotions  of  Mr. 
Quinn's  heart,  and  be  able  to  appreciate,  at  this  period  of 
his  distress  and  sorrow,  the  anxiety  and  solicitude  of  his 
soul.  His  children  had  to  be  scattered,  and  he  was  under 
the  necessity  of  having  them  taken  care  of  by  his  friends, 
as  best  he  could. 

He  writes  to  his  daughter  Helen,  then  in  Virginia,  with 
her  uncle,  Dr.  Isaac  Quinn,  under  date  of 

"  West  Union,   0.,   October  9,  1823. 

"My  Dear  Daughter, — I  can  not  tell  how  it  pains  my 
heart  to  have  my  children  so  far  separated  from  each  other 
and  from  me;  but  it  can  not  be  avoided,  and,  therefore, 
must  be  submitted  to.  Could  I  ever  have  my  children  all 
collected  around  me  again,  I  should  think  myself  one  of 
the  most  happy  among  mortals.  But,  ah!  this  can  not  be. 
Your  lovely  mother  is  no  more!  and  her  place  can  never 
be  filled.  I  know  your  uncle  and  aunt  will  be  a  father  and 
mother  to  you.  Let  me  enjoin  it  on  you,  my  child,  in  the 
fear  of  the  Lord,  to  be  attentive  and  obedient  to  them  as 
parents,  and  let  them  have  every  reason  to  think  and 
speak  well  of  you.  Be  very  careful  in  forming  acquaint- 
ances. Remember,  your  reputation  is  your  all.  But, 
above  all,  be  attentive  to  your  religious  duties — private 
prayer,  reading  the  Scriptures,  and  public  worship.  You 
have  many  things  to  learn,  which  a  woman  ought  to  knowr; 
12* 


138  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

therefore,  be  not  ashamed  to  learn  of  any  and  all  who  can 
teach  you.  How  it  would  comfort  and  gladden  my  heart 
to  find  you  possessing  those  graces  and  qualifications  which 
shone  in  that  amiable  woman,  of  precious  memory,  whose 
daughter  you  are;  and  the  contrary  would  almost  break 
my  heart.  O,  Helen,  pursue  that  course  which  can  not 
fail  to  make  you  respectable  and  happy  here  and  forever — 
I  mean  religion  and  active  industry.  How  this  would 
comfort  the  heart  of  your  father,  in  his  declining  years, 
who,  having  been  bereft  of  your  dear  mother,  expects  his 
earthly  comfort  to  consist  in  the  respectability  and  happi- 
ness of  his  daughters!" 

To  the  same  he  says,  under  date 

"January  17,  1825. 
"I  need  not  tell  you  how  tenderly  I  love  you,  and  how 
solicitous  I  feel  for  your  temporal  and  spiritual  welfare, 
especially  the  latter,  and  that  you  are  not  forgotten  at  the 
throne  of  grace;  and  I  do  hope  that  the  God  whom  I  have 
feared  and  endeavored  to  serve  from  my  youth,  will  pre- 
serve and  save  my  dear  children.  I  feel  thankful,  my  dear 
child,  that  you  have  the  fear  of  the  Lord  before  you,  and 
have  a  place  in  the  Church.  Yet,  when  I  reflect  on  the 
low  state  of  religion  in  that  place — the  great  inattention  to 
class  meetings,  and  the  few  religious  associates  you  have — 
I  can  not  but  fear,  and  feel  concerned  for  you.  Helen, 
don't  forget  secret  prayer.  Ask  and  you  shall  receive; 
seek  and  you  shall  find  the  pearl  of  great  price — the  love 
of  God  shed  abroad  in  thy  heart  by  the  Holy  Ghost." 
In  another  letter  to  the  same  he  says: 
"Mr  Dear  Daughter, — Your  separation  from  me  has 
been  and  still  is  as  painful  to  me  as  it  has  been  to  you;  but 
it  has  thus  occurred  in  the  order  of  Providence,  and  it 
becomes  us  to  bow  in  submission,  nor  say  to  God,  What 
doest  thou?  Let  me  now  say,  fear  God  and  keep  his  com- 
mandments.    In  all  thy  ways  acknowledge  God,  and  he 


LIFK   AND   LABORS  OF  JAMBS   Ql  INN.  139 

will  direct  thy  paths.  Read  ;i  chapter  or  two  in  the  Bible 
everyday;  neglect  not  secret  prayerj  neglect  none  of  the 
means  of  grace,  either  public  or  private.  And,  0,  remem- 
ber the  Sabbath  day  to  keep  it  holy." 

May  I  not  hope  that  many  of  the  youthful  readers  of 
this  sketch  will  greatly  profit  by  the  foregoing  extracts, 
especially  the  young  women  who  have  no  mother  to  care 
for  them?  Will  they  not  receive  and  practice  the  instruc- 
tions of  this  affectionate  father,  and  be  safe  and  happy? 

It  appears  from  Mr.  Quinn's  letters  he  had  two  of  his 
little  daughters  provided  for  in  some  way  on  his  circuit.  I 
am  informed  they  were  accommodated  in  the  family  of 
Rev.  G.  R.  Jones.  From  West  Union  he  writes  to  his 
eldest,  who  was  happily  married  to  Mr.  James  Clarke,  of 
Chilicothe,  soon  after  the  death  of  her  mother.  The  date 
is  July,  1824.  After  giving  an  account  of  a  severe  attack 
of  fever,  he  adds,  "  The  Lord  has  been  gracious  to  my  poor 
soul  in  this  affliction,  as  formerly;  but,  O,  how  I  longed 
after  you  and  my  dear  children!  Mary  was  brought  to 
see  me  once  while  I  was  sick.  0,  to  have  had  you  with 
me!  but  be  still,  0,  my  soul,  and  know  that  the  Lord  hath 
done  it.  I  do  not  expect  to  be  able  to  do  any  thing  on  the 
circuit  before  conference.  I  doubt  the  propriety  of  bring- 
ing the  girls  to  Chilicothe,  or  leaving  them  there  in  the 
sickly  season;  yet  my  intention  is  to  bring  them  on  a  week 
before  conference,  and  take  them  on  to  Fairfield.  Give 
father's  love  to  his  dear  Susan.  Tell  her  how  much  I  have 
been  troubled  about  her  sickness;  but  that  I  hope  the  good 
Lord,  who  loves  her  better  than  her  father,  will  bless  her 
affliction  to  her  good,  and  raise  her  to  health  again.  Do, 
my  dear  child,  let  me  hear  from  you  by  next  mail,  if  it  be 
only  five  or  six  lines.  Should  either  of  you  be  very 
unwell,  I  will  make  an  effort  to  see  you  without  delay.  I 
have  no  lack  of  kind  friends  and  attention  here.  Many 
hearts  ami  doors  are  open  to  receive  me.     0,  (>>v  ;i  grateful 


140  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

heart  to  God  and  man!     May  the  good  Lord  bless  thee, 
my  daughter!" 

The  affliction  referred  to  in  the  foregoing  letter  com- 
menced at  Portsmouth,  on  his  way  from  the  General  con- 
ference. He,  however,  was  able  to  reach  West  Union,  and 
having  an  appointment  the  next  day  at  his  old  friend's, 
John  M'Colm,  on  Gift  Ridge,  he  determined  to  make  an 
effort  to  fill  it.  Rev.  G.  R.  Jones  accompanied  him,  to 
preach  in  case  he  should  not  be  able.  On  his  way  the 
paroxysm  of  fever  became  so  violent  that  he  was  quite  de- 
ranged, and  it  was  with  much  difficulty  he  reached  the 
place.  He  could  take  no  part  in  the  services,  and  retired 
to  bed.  In  this  attack  of  bilious  fever  he  lay  ten  days, 
and  suffered  much.  One  day,  after  having  taken  an  emetic, 
he  was  thrown  into  indescribable  pain,  which  seemed  to  be 
more  than  he  could  endure,  and  in  his  agony  he  exclaimed, 
"What  shall  I  do?"  In  a  moment  he  said  to  his  friend 
M'Colm,  "That  was  an  unguarded  and  improper  expres- 
sion.    I  ought  to  have  said: 

'  When  pain  o'er  my  weak  flesh  prevails, 
With  lamblike  patience  arm  my  breast; 
When  grief  my  wounded  soul  assails, 
In  lowly  meekness  may  I  rest.'  " 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  141 


CHAPTER    IX. 

Appointed  to  Zancsville — Second  marriage — Letters — Appointed 
to  Fairfield  circuit — Subordinate  relation — Reappointed — Sta- 
tioned at  Chilicothe — Attends  the  General  conference  at  Pitts- 
burg— Appointed  to  Hillsboro  circuit — Purchases  a  home — Re- 
turned to  Hillsboro — Enforces  Discipline — Appointed  to  Wilming- 
ton— Family  devotions — Manner  of  instructing  and  praying  for 
his  children— Peculiar  fervor  in  prayer  on  leaving  home — His 
wife  inspired  with  great  confidence — Great  gift  in  prayer — 
Success — Singular  incident — Appointed  to  Straight  Creek  cir- 
cuit— Laborious  field — A  great  change — Attends  the  General 
conference  at  Philadelphia — Extract  from  the  Bishops'  Address — 
Rev.  J.  G.  Brace's  letter — His  and  the  testimony  of  others  in 
regard  to  Mr.  Quinn — Love-feast  expected — Disappointment — Im- 
portance of  keeping  our  Rules — Is  punctual  to  his  appointments — 
Kindly  reproves  and  counsels  his  junior  brother — Well  received 
and  practiced  on  ever  after — Appointed  to  Washington  circuit — 
Hard  labor — Is  exposed  in  a  muddy  region — Letter  to  Mrs. 
Clark — Appointed  to  Hillsboro  circuit — He  and  colleague  have  a 
prosperous  year — Appointed  to  Sinking  Spring — Small  circuit. 

At  the  close  of  this  conference  year  we  held  our  annual 
session  at  Zanesville.  Mr.  Quinn  and  the  writer  of  this 
sketch  were  appointed  a  committee  to  write  the  memoirs 
of  the  deceased  preachers,  Alexander  Cummins  and  Samuel 
Baker.  At  our  meeting,  before  reporting  to  the  confer- 
ence, he  referred  in  a  most  touching  manner  to  our  lia- 
bility to  die,  and  the  great  importance  of  our  being  always 
ready.  He  introduced  the  subject  by  the  inquiry,  "Who 
will  write  our  memoirs?"  I  have  often  thought  of  that 
profitable  conversation,  and  more  frequently  since  he  has 
gone  on  before,  and  I  was  called  to  report  his  memoir  to 
his  brethren  in  1848. 

At  this  session  of  the  conference  he  was  appointed  to 
Zanesville  station.  Previous  to  this  time  Mr.  Quinn  had 
carefully  deliberated  on  the  matter,  and  had  come  to  the 
conclusion  that  it  was  his  duty  to  man  v  a  second  wife, 
and  procure  a  mother  for  his  daughters;  and  having  se- 


142  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

lected  and  obtained  the  consent  of  the  lady,  he  went  soon 
after  conference  to  consummate  their  union;  and  on  the 
third  of  October,  1824,  he  and  Miss  Eleanor  Whitten,  of 
Tazewell  county,  Va.,  were  united  in  holy  matrimony. 
Mr.  Quinn  was  very  happy  in  his  second  marriage,  and  the 
selected  loved  one  was  considered  quite  suitable,  being  a 
member  of  the  same  Church,  and  deeply  pious.  In  writ- 
ing to  a  friend  the  next  year,  he  says,  "I  have  every  rea- 
son to  be  thankful  for  this  dear  friend.  She  is  an  interest- 
ing companion,  and  a  tender  and  affectionate  mother;  and 
my  children  love  her  tenderly,  having  found  that  a  second, 
or  stepmother  is  not  that  horrible  thing  of  which  they  had 
heard." 

The  following  extracts  of  letters  addressed  to  Mr. 
Williams  and  Mrs.  Clark,  of  Chilicothe,  will  show  some- 
thing of  the  state  of  the  Church  in  Zanesville,  and  the 
influence  of  Mr.  Quinn's  labors  in  that  station: 

"Zanesville,  December  28,  1824. 

"Dear  Brother, — I  rejoice  to  learn  that  the  Lord  hath 
visited  you  in  Chilicothe,  and  that  sinners  are  awakened 
and  converted  to  God.  It  of  course  must  be  a  time  of 
refreshing  among  old  professors.  In  this  town  the  con- 
gregations are  crowded  and  serious,  both  by  day  and  by 
night.  Some  weep,  but  they  are  a  little  too  fearful  of  a 
noise  and  fire.  I  have  preached  over  twenty  sermons  in 
the  ordinary  course,  beside  attending  prayer  and  class 
meetings.  We  have  had  six  or  eight  added  to  the  society, 
most  of  whom  profess  conversion,  and  I  trust  others  are 
under  awakenings. " 

"Zanesville,  April  8,  1825. 

"My  Dear  Daughter, — I  rejoice  that  in  your  religious 
exercises  you  have  become  in  a  good  degree  acquainted 
with  your  own  heart,  and  sensible  of  the  impure  principle 
in  your  nature.  I  fear  there  are  too  many  in  whom 
repentance  only  extends  to  the  practice  of  sin  in  the  life, 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  143 

and  not  to  the  principle  of  sin  in  the  heart.  Hence,  it 
often  happens,  that  the  heart  is  healed  but  slightly;  and 
this  being  the  case,  it  too  often  occurs  that  they  soon 
relapse  again  into  sin,  sink  into  formality,  or  become  hyp- 
ocrites. In  order  to  a  radical  cure,  it  is  of  great  import- 
ance to  have  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  disease;  yea, 
that  the  whole  head  is  sick,  and  that  the  heart  is  deceitful 
above  all  things,  and  desperately  wicked. 

"Be  not  discouraged,  but  wait  on  the  Lord,  and  be  of 
good  courage;  and  expect,  as  he  hath  pardoned  guilt,  so 
he  is  able,  yea,  and  willing,  to  cleanse  from  all  unrighteous- 
ness, and  so  renew  thee  in  the  spirit  of  thy  mind,  that 
thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  with  all  thy  heart,  mind,  soul, 
and  strength. 

"We  have  taken  eight  into  society  since  I  wrote  you  last. 
Our  congregations  are  still  large  and  solemn.  It  now 
appears  to  be  seed-time;  the  harvest,  I  trust,  will  follow. 
It  is  the  privilege  of  those  who  sow  to  rejoice  with  those 
who  reap;  and  0  that  the  harvest  may  be  glorious!" 

In  the  fall  of  1825  he  attended  the  conference  held  at 
Columbus;  and,  on  account  of  feeble  health,  he  was  favored 
with  a  subordinate  relation  on  Fairfield  circuit — the  oner- 
ous duties  of  the  charge  being  assigned  to  his  efficient 
colleague,  Rev.  Leroy  Swormstedt.  As  helper,  Mr.  Quinn 
was  a  most  agreeable  associate  and  fellow-laborer  on  a 
circuit.  He  knew  his  place,  and  kept  in  it.  Never  did  he 
usurp  the  authority,  or  attempt  to  exercise  the  preroga- 
tives of  the  minister  in  charge,  or  give  him  trouble  by  in- 
terfering with  his  administration;  but,  on  the  contrary, 
assisted  him  by  his  counsel,  and  contributed  his  great  in- 
fluence to  sustain  him  in  the  mild  and  strict  administra- 
tion of  Methodist  discipline.  This  was  a  pleasant,  and,  we 
have  reason  to  believe,  a  useful  year  with  Mr.  Quinn. 
The  following  year  he  was  reappointed  to  Fairfield  circuit, 
in  charge,  having  James  Laws  associated  with  him. 


144  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

In  1828  lie  was  stationed  at  Chilicothe,  and  served  as 
an  efficient  delegate  in  the  General  conference,  which 
assembled  in  May  of  that  year  in  the  city  of  Pittsburg. 
Bishops  M'Kendree,  George,  Roberts,  Soule,  and  Hedding, 
were  all  present;  and  this  was  the  last  session  Bishop 
George  ever  attended.  He  died  in  Staunton,  Va.,  the  follow- 
ing August,  with  the  word  "glory"  on  his  lips.  At  this 
General  conference  "the  suspended  resolutions"  were  re- 
jected by  a  large  majority,  and  the  memorialists  who  pe- 
titioned for  a  lay  delegation  were  answered  in  the  report 
of  the  committee  appointed  on  that  subje-ct,  and  adopted 
on  motion  of  the  Rev.  Asa  Shinn,  which  put  that  subject 
to  rest.  Many  who  were  dissatisfied  left  the  Church,  and 
formed  a  separate  connection,  called  the  "Methodist  Prot- 
estant Church." 

In  1828  Mr.  Quinn  was  appointed  in  charge  of  Hills- 
boro  circuit.  Joseph  Hill,  who  had  just  entered  upon  his 
itinerant  labors,  was  his  helper.  This  was  a  most  success- 
ful year  for  this  circuit.  Many  souls  were  awakened,  con- 
verted, and  added  to  the  Church;  some  of  whom  passed  on 
before,  and  were  waiting  to  welcome  him  to  his  final  home 
above;  others  remain  faithful  and  useful  members  of 
the  Church  below. 

There  was  no  preacher's  house  on  Hillsboro  circuit  at 
that  time;  and  this  circumstance,  together  with  his  large 
and  increasing  family,  suggested  to  Mr.  Quinn's  mind 
the  necessity  of  procuring  a  little  home,  where  his  wife  and 
children  might  be  somewhat  stationary,  while  he  gave 
himself  to  the  work  of  the  itinerant  ministry.  He  there- 
fore purchased  a  small  farm  in  the  bounds  of  his  circuit, 
of  about  one  hundred  acres,  and  in  the  fall  of  1829  re- 
moved to  it.  It  was  a  good  location,  and  in  some  respects 
a  very  pleasant  place.  It  is  immediately  on  the  summit 
level,  or  dividing  ridge  between  the  waters  of  the  Miami 
and  those  of  the  Scioto.    The  farm  was  not  very  much  im- 


LTPB  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  145 

proved,  and  the  bouse  was  made  of  hewed  logs,  having 
stone  chimneys.  Upon  the  whole,  it  was  a  comfortable 
residence;  and  there  his  family  have  long  enjoyed  the 
sweets  of  HOME.  This  place,  once  called  "Rural  Cott 
for  a  time  received  the  name  of  "the  Pioneer's  Rest,"  and 
will  be  more  fully  described  in  the  future  pages  of  this 
work. 

In  1829  Mr.  Quinn  was  returned  in  charge  of  Hills- 
It. to  circuit,  haying  George  Gatch  for  his  colleague  This 
:  year  of  some  declension,  and  the  priming-knife  had 
to  be  used  in  removing  the  improper  and  unfruitful 
branches.  This  work,  however  painful  to  the  pastor,  is 
often  essential  to  the  spiritual  life,  health,  and  prosperity 
of  the  Church.  A  minister  who  accomplishes  this  indis- 
pensable work  may  sutler  much  in  his  reputation;  but  let 
him  not  be  discouraged,  or  shrink  from  his  duty.  The 
judicious  and  faithful  administrator  of  discipline,  such  as  we 
suppose  Mr.  Quinn  was,  will  be  sustained  by  the  unpreju- 
diced and  pious  of  his  charge,  and  in  the  light  of  the  fires 
of  the  judgment  day,  his  works  will  be  manifest,  and  his 
"profiting,"  in  promoting  the  real  interests  of  Christ's 
kingdom  on  earth,  will  appear  to  all. 

In  1830  Mr.  Quinn  was  appointed  to  Wilmington  cir- 
cuit, having  John  M.  Goshorn  for  his  helper.  Some  of 
the  preaching-places  on  this  circuit  were  pretty  convenient 
to  his  residence,  while  others  were  quite  remote,  requiring 
his  absence  from  his  family  more  than  a  week  at  a  time. 
On  this  and  other  circuits  and  districts,  his  duties  as  an 
itinerant  minister  required  him  to  be  much  from  home; 
but  whenever  he  did  return,  it  was  to  "bless  his  house- 
hold." His  manner  of  conducting  the  devotions  of  the 
family,  and  instructing  his  children,  was  well  calculated 
to  interest  the  entire  circle,  deeply  affect  the  heart,  and 
make  lasting  impressions  on  the  memory.  The  children 
were  not  only  required  to  hear  the  JScripture  lessons  read 
13 


146  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

with  attention,  but  often  to  pass  something  of  an  examina- 
tion on  the  interesting  subjects  embraced.  The  chapter 
read,  say  in  the  morning,  he  would  question  them  on  in 
the  evening;  and  when  they  had  answered  as  well  as  they 
were  able,  he  would  explain  and  apply  the  lesson  in  a  way 
suited  to  their  capacities.  In  his  prayers  he  was  in  the 
habit  of  embracing  all  his  children  by  name,  and  asking 
the  blessing  of  God  upon  them  individually,  as  they  had 
need.  If  any  of  them  had  been  naughty  or  disobedient 
during  the  day,  he  would  pray  the  Lord  to  grant  the 
offenders  repentance,  and  pardon  them  by  his  mercy. 
This  course  was  exceedingly  mortifying  to  the  children; 
but  perhaps  no  other  that  he  could  have  pursued  would 
have  made  an  impression  so  deep  and  lasting,  or  proved 
more  effectual.  When  his  children  were  small,  he  caused 
them  to  kneel  down  at  his  knee,  and  repeat  their  prayers; 
and  when  they  became  larger,  he  required  them  to  kneel 
at  their  bedside,  and  pray.  When  his  duty  made  it 
necessary  for  him  to  leave  his  family  for  some  time,  it  was 
his  practice  to  pray  most  fervently  for  them  all,  and  com- 
mend them  to  the  care  of  his  covenant-keeping  God.  And 
at  such  times  he  appeared  to  have  such  an  assurance,  that 
his  fervor  and  apparent  faith  inspired  the  partner  of  his 
cares  with  strong  confidence  to  believe  that  all  would  be 
safe  in  his  absence.  This  was  a  source  of  great  comfort 
to  his  wife,  and  she  was  enabled  to  trust  in  the  Lord  and 
not  be  afraid. 

Mr.  Quinn  certainly  had  an  extraordinary  gift  in  prayer. 
The  great  variety  of  devotional  matter  which  he  possessed 
was  truly  remarkable;  all  appeared  to  be  based  upon  God's 
word,  and  inspired  by  the  divine  Spirit.  His  prayers 
were  usually  much  enriched  and  embellished  by  the  lan- 
guage of  the  Scriptures;  they  were  also  distinguished  for 
their  ardor  and  apparent  strong  faith.  On  a  visit  to  one 
of  his  daughters,  who,  at  the  time,  was  supposed  to  be 


LIFE  AND  LAB0B6  OK  JAMES  Ql  [NN.  147 

niffh  unto  d.-atli,  lie  said  to  his  daughter  Helen,  who 
accompanied  him,  "I  do  not  think  your  sister  will  die 
now.  On  the  way  here,  I  tried  to  pray,  but  all  was  dark; 
but  since  we  arrived,  1  have  had  access  to  the  throne,  in 
praying  for  her  recovery;  and  I  believe  she  will  be  raised 
up  again;"  and  so  it  was.  He  used  to  say,  in  some  cases 
when  he  attempted  to  pray  for  persons,  he  had  no  con- 
scious access  to  God  in  prayer.  And  at  such  times  his 
feelings  were  painful  in  the  extreme.  And  when  he  had 
liberty  in  prayer,  he  seemed  to  commune  with  the  blessed 
Trinity  in  holy  sweetness. 

Is  it  possible  for  one  Christian  to  be  conscious,  while 
engaged  in  prayer,  that  a  distant  friend  is  praying  for 
him?  A  very  worthy  member  of  the  Church,  and  a  man 
of  strong  faith,  related  once  in  class  meeting,  that  on  one 
evening,  while  engaged  in  private  devotion,  he  realized  in 
his  own  soul  a  wonderful  manifestation  of  the  Divine 
presence  and  blessing,  and  declared,  that  it  was  impressed 
on  his  mind  that  some  brother  in  Christ  was  at  that 
moment  interceding  at  the  throne  of  grace  in  his  behalf. 
"And  that  brother,"  said  he,  "was  James  Quinn."  Is 
not  something  like  this  set  forth  in  those  beautiful  lines  of 
one  of  our  hymns? 

"  There  is  a  scene  where  spirits  blend — 
Where  friend  holds  fellowship  with  friend; 
Though  sundered  far,  by  faith  they  meet 
Around  one  common  mercy-seat." 

At  our  annual  session,  held  at  Mansfield,  in  the  fall  of 
1831,  Mr.  Quinn  received  his  appointment  to  Straight 
Creek,  having  John  G.  Bruce  associated  with  him  in  the 
labors  of  that  large  circuit,  embracing  an  extensive  terri- 
tory, and  many  preaching-places.  The  one  nearest  his 
residence  was  at  least  ten  miles,  and  the  town  of  Ripley, 
which,  perhaps,  was  the  most  distant,  was  more  than  forty 
miles.     It  is  not  probable  he  could  visit  his  family  oftener 


148  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

than  once  every  round,  which  required  four  weeks.  At 
the  present  writing — 1850 — the  same  territory  embraces 
one  whole  circuit,  parts  of  two  more,  and  Ripley  has  been 
a  respectable  station  for  many  years.  Of  course,  the 
preachers  are  now  much  favored  in  the  labor  of  traveling, 
and  if  they  do  the  pastoral  work  which  their  exemption 
from  traveling  will  enable  them  to  do,  the  people  will  be 
accommodated  also  in  the  arrangement. 

This  year  Mr.  Quinn  was  a  member  of  the  General 
conference,  which  commenced  its  session  in  Philadelphia 
on  the  first  day  of  May,  1832.  After  the  General  confer- 
ence was  organized,  the  bishops  called  the  attention  of 
that  body  to  many  important  topics,  in  a  written  commu- 
nication. A  short  extract  from  this  address  may  be 
acceptable  to  the  reader  in  this  connection: 

"The  troubles  and  dangers  which  threatened  us  at  our 
last  session  have  nearly  passed  away.  The  secession 
from  the  Church,  although  embracing  some  valuable  mem- 
bers, has  been  far  less  extensive  than  was  feared;  and  the 
results,  with  regard  to  the  general  interests  of  the  Church, 
it  is  presumed,  have  been  widely  different  from  the  calcu- 
lations of  the  principal  agents  in  the  schism. 

"The  measures  which  have  been  pursued  by  those  who 
have  been  called  'Reformers,'  have  elicited  a  more  careful 
examination  of  the  principles  of  the  government  and  econ- 
omy of  the  Church,  among  our  preachers  and  people,  and 
through  the  communitv  in  general.     This  examination  has 

CD  w  o 

resulted  in  a  clearer  conviction  of  the  excellency  of  our 
system,  and  especially  the  efficiency  of  our  itinerant  plan; 
and,  consequently,  peace,  harmony,  and  reciprocal  confi- 
dence have  been  greatly  increased  and  confirmed. 

"To  preserve  such  a  happy  state  of  things  through  that 
vast  body  of  ministers  and  people,  to  whom  we  are  related 
in  the  strongest  bonds  of  interest  and  affection,  and  to  de- 
vise measures  for  the  more  extensive  and  efficient  operation 


LIFE   AND   LABORS  UK  JAMBS   QUINN.  149 

of  that  system  which  has  already  been  so  remarkably  suc- 
cessful, is  the  chief  business  of  your  present  deliberations 
and  counsels." 

The  various  subjects  included  in  the  bishops'  address 
were  referred  to  appropriate  committees,  and  their  reports 
received  the  consideration  and  action  of  the  conference. 
An  able  pastoral  address  was  adopted,  and  sent  out  by 
the  conference.  A  report  on  the  subject  of  temperance 
was  also  adopted,  which  gave  a  new  and  powerful  impetus 
to  that  cause.  In  adopting  the  report  on  missions,  the 
conference  recommended  again  the  establishing  a  mission 
in  Liberia,  the  sending  one  person  or  more  on  a  tour  of 
observation  to  South  America  and  Mexico,  and  also  the 
extension  of  Indian  missions  on  the  western  frontier,  as 
well  as  greater  exertions  to  supply  the  bread  of  life,  the 
ministry  of  the  word,  to  the  destitute  portions  of  the  white 
population  of  our  country. 

In  view  of  the  very  great  enlargement  of  the  work,  and 
the  death  of  Bishop  George,  the  conference  elected  James 
0.  Andrew  and  John  Emory  to  the  office  of  bishop,  and 
on  the  25th  of  May  they  were  ordained  in  the  usual  form. 

Many  other  important  measures  were  agreed  upon,  in 
which  Mr.  Quinn  took  part,  and  late  on  the  night  of  the 
28th  of  May  the  conference  adjourned,  to  meet  in  Cincin- 
nati on  May  1,  1836. 

Under  date  of  January  12,  1848,  the  writer  received  a 
communication  from  Rev.  John  G.  Bruce,  who  was  at  that 
time  stationed  at  Shelby ville,  Ky.,  from  which  he  makes 
the  following  extracts.     Speaking  of  Mr.  Quinn,  he  says: 

"  There  is  truth  in  the  remark  made  by  a  gentleman  some 
years  since,  in  drawing  a  contrast  between  him  and  his 
brother  Isaac.  'The  Doctor,'  said  he,  'is  strong,  some- 
times impetuous;  but  his  style  is  loose  and  faulty.  James 
is  always  strong — always  clear;  his  style  is  simple,  and 
every  sentence  he  pronounces  is  ready  for  the  press  when 
13* 


1  50  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

it  falls  from  his  lips.'  Having  enjoyed  the  privilege  of 
sitting  under  his  ministry  nearly  two  years,  when  he  trav- 
eled the  Scioto  circuit,  and  traveled  the  Straight  Creek 
circuit  with  him  in  1832,  when  I  had  frequent  opportu- 
nities of  hearing  him,  I  not  only  feel  disposed  to  justify 
the  remark,  but  go  beyond  it,  and  affirm  that  I  have 
known  no  minister  who  so  uniformly  held  up  before  his 
congregations  an  unsullied  mirror.  Noonday  poured  upon 
his  subject,  and  the  lovers  of  truth  went  home  with  new 
materials  for  thought.  In  1829  I  was  boarding  with  Dr. 
James  Robbins,  who  at  that  time  resided  at  Greenfield. 
Father  Quinn  and  brother  George  Gatch  were  on  the  cir- 
cuit. One  morning  father  Quinn  preached  a  funeral  sermon 
in  Greenfield,  from  Ecclesiastes  xii,  1-8.  The  Doctor  was 
of  an  ardent  temperament,  a  fervent  Christian,  and,  withal, 
an  enthusiastic  admirer  of  father  Quinn.  The  sermon 
perfectly  enchained  his  attention,  and  at  its  close,  '0,' 
said  he,  'what  profoundness  of  thought,  what  beautiful 
imagery!     I'll  be  a  wiser  man!' 

"Two  circumstances  occurred  during  the  year  that  I 
was  with  him,  as  junior  preacher  on  Straight  Creek,  which 
show  so  strongly  his  love  of  system,  that  I  desire  to  see 
them  recorded  in  his  life;  especially  as  we  think  our  fathers 
were  not  liberal  enough  in  many  things.  Some  time  in 
July,  1832,  he  appointed  a  two  days'  meeting  in  Win- 
chester, Adams  county,  which  he  invited  me  to  attend. 
Rev.  John  Meek  was  also  present.  Our  people  had  just 
put  up  a  frame  church,  laid  the  floor  temporarily,  and 
otherwise  prepared  it  for  the  accommodation  of  the  meet- 
ing. The  public  had  been  liberal  in  assisting  them,  and 
an  obligation  was  resting  upon  the  Church  to  be  liberal  in 
turn.  There  was  to  be  love-feast  at  nine  o'clock  Sunday 
morning.  The  door-keeper  was  at  his  place  at  the  ap- 
pointed time;  the  bread  and  water  were  on  the  table;  but 
the  door-keeper  determined  to  'mend  our  rules  and  not 


LTFE   AND   LABORS  OF  JAMES  QII.N.V.  151 

keep  them,'  so  ihat  by  nine  o'clock  the  house  was  full  of 
all  sorts  of  people;  Just  then  father  Quinn  came  in;  his 
eye  ranged  along  the  crowded  seats;  sadness  spread  over 
his  face,  and,  walking  up  to  me,  said,  'John,  you  must, 
preachV  'What,'  said  I,  'are  you  going  to  dispense  with 
love-feast?'  '  Yes,'  he  repHed,  '1  sever  have  held  a  love- 
t'east  contrary  to  the  Discipline  of  the  Methodist  Church, 
and  1  never  will.  So,  get  up  and  preach!'  I  did  so, 
preaching  from  the  parable  of  the  supper,  Luke  xiv, 
16-20;  but  not  to  the  edification  of  the  hearers,  who  asked 
for  bread  and  got  a  stone.  They  were  greatly  disap- 
pointed, but  there  was  no  remedy.  Fortunate  would  it  be 
for  the  Church  if  examples  of  this  kind  were  more  frequent. 
Then,  when  the  people  saw  that  we  had  firmness  enough 
to  protect  ourselves,  they  would  respect  us. 

"Every  departure   from  the  rules  in   relation  to  class 

meetings  and  love-feasts  must  weaken  us.     A  rigid  adher- 
es o 

ence  to  rule  made  us  what  we  were;  a  sinful  neglect  of 
rule  has  made  us  what  we  are. 

"The  circuit  was  a  large  one,  embracing  twenty-one 
preaching-places.  Father  Quinn's  family  lived  where  they 
do  now.  The  nearest  point  to  his  family  was  ten  miles, 
perhaps,  yet  I  have  no  recollection  of  his  missing  a  single 
appointment  during  the  year,  though  it  was  the  winter  of 
the  great  flood.  Being  a  delegate  to  the  General  confer- 
ence of  1832,  his  place  was  supplied,  during  his  absence, 
by  the  venerable  Robert  W.  Finlev. 

"In  the  latter  part  of  the  year  some  business  required 
his  attention  at  home.  When  his  work  was  at  Ripley,  he 
asked  me  to  exchange  work  for  two  weeks,  which  would 
throw  him  at  the  upper  end  of  the  circuit.  I  consented. 
He  then  gave  some  special  directions  in  relation  to  some 
matters  connected  with  the  Church  in  two  or  three  places. 
I  went  on  and  filled  several  of  the  appointments,  ami  then 
went  to  the  White  Oak  camp  meeting  for  the  purpose  of 


152  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

obtaining  help  at  our  camp  meeting,  which  was  coming  on 
in  a  few  weeks.  I  did  not  meet  father  Quinn  till  the  camp 
meeting,  when,  as  was  customary  with  him  whenever  we 
met,  he  took  me  aside  and  asked  very  particularly  about 
the  condition  of  each  society.  When  I  told  him  that  I 
had  thought  it  better  to  go  to  the  White  Oak  camp  meet- 
ing than  to  attend  three  of  the  appointments,  he  iixed  his 
eyes  on  me,  and,  with  great  kindness,  remarked,  'You 
erred;  you  had  no  engagement  there;  at  Ripley,  etc.,  you 
had.  Never  disappoint  a  congregation  for  the  sake  of  a 
popular  meeting.  There  will  always  be  preachers  enough 
there.  You  stay  at  home,  and  take  care  of  those  who 
can  not  go.  The  ordinary  means  of  grace  are  much  more 
important  to  the  health  and  prosperity  of  the  Church, 
than  these  extraordinary  occasions.  Always  attend  to 
your  own  work.'  I  felt  reproved,  and  determined  to  profit 
by  the  advice,  and,  from  that  day  to  this,  have  not  neg- 
lected an  appointment  to  visit  any  popular  meeting.  Some- 
times I  am  censured  for  it,  but  my  conscience  approves 
my  course." 

In  the  fall  of  1 832  Mr.  Quinn  was  appointed  to  Wash- 
ington circuit,  which  was  still  further  from  his  residence. 
At  that  time  this  circuit  was  large  in  territory,  and  spread 
over  a  very  level,  muddy  surface,  and  perhaps  the  roads, 
for  a  considerable  part  of  the  year,  were  a  little  worse 
than  in  some  other  sections.  This  charge  required  almost 
constant  attention,  and  much  hard  labor,  and  of  necessity 
he  had  to  be  a  good  deal  exposed;  and,  to  add  to  his  bur- 
den and  solicitude,  his  appointed  helper,  on  account  of 
affliction,  failed  to  come  to  his  aid,  and  it  was  long  before 
he  obtained  any  help.  All  these  circumstances  combined, 
will  enable  the  reader  to  account  for  some  expressions  in 
the  following  letter,  addressed  to  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Clark. 
Quaintness  of  expression  frequently  attaches  to  the  con- 
versation and  writings  of  good  as  well  as  great  men,  and 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  153 

sometimes  this  quaintness  is  the  cause  of  complaint  among 
the  fastidious.  We  think  nothing  in  the  ensuing  letter, 
however,  obnoxious  to  candid  criticism: 

"At  home,  December  14,  1832. 
"My  Dear  Sarah, — I  think  1  am  safe  in  saying,  that  no 
day  passes  over  my  head  in  which  my  children  and  grand- 
children arc  nut  remembered  more  than  once.  Of  course 
you  may  rest  assured,  though  I  have  not  written  to  or 
visited  von  for  some  months,  it  is  not  because  you  were 
forgotten.  I  had  been  so  long-  absent  from  my  circuit  at 
Genera]  conference,  that  it  was  needful  that  1  should 
remain  on  it  as  long-  as  I  could.  When  at  conference  [ 
was  appointed  to  a  pretty  tough  circuit,  and  have  no  help 
as  yet.  Be  it  for  young  men  to  choose,  or  get  others  to 
choose,  easy  places  for  them;  this  has  not  been  my  course. 
Through  mercy  my  health  has  been  pretty  good,  and  I 
go,  rain  or  shine,  freeze  or  thaw.  This  is  my  thirty-fourth 
winter  in  the  work.  It  may  be  my  last.  I  sometimes 
think  of  locating,  but  I  am  so  wedded  to  the  itinerant 
cause  that  it  seems  like  death.  I  can  not  stand  hardships 
as  formerly.  I  am  not  superannuated,  do  not  mean  to  ask 
for  easy  places;  but  I  commit  my  cause  to  God,  and  sing, 

'Courage,  my  soul!  on  Cod  rely — 
Deliverance  soon  will  come.' 

"I  hope,  my  daughter,  you  still  live  in  the  enjoyment  of 
religion,  and  trust  in  your  great  Redeemer.  0,  he  bought 
you  with  his  blood,  and  claims  you  for  his  own!  Endeavor 
to  make  an  unreserved  surrender  of  your  all  to  him." 

In  the  autumn  of  1833  Mr.  Quinn  was  appointed  in 
charge  of  Hill>boro  circuit,  having  Henry  Turner  for  his 
colleague.  His  residence  was  in  the  bounds  of  this  charge, 
and  his  appointment  this  year  was  every  way  agreeable. 
Moreover,  he  and  his  efficient  associate  in  labor  realized 
most  glorious  success.  They  lived,  labored,  and  rejoiced 
in  a  revival   of  religion   the  principal  part  of   the   year. 


1  54  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

Many  were  added  to  the  Church,  and  the  circuit  in  all 
respects  was  blessed  with  great  prosperity. 

At  the  next  conference,  held  the  last  of  August,  1834, 
a  small  circuit  was  formed,  called  "Sinking  Spring,"  and 
Mr.  Quinn  was  appointed  alone  to  it.  It  was  rather  a 
contracted  field  of  labor,  and,  perhaps,  did  not  work  well 
or  give  satisfaction,  as  this  was  the  only  year  of  its  exist- 
ence in  that  form  and  under  that  name.  In  a  published 
letter,  Mr.  Quinn  speaks  of  it,  with  other  interesting 
observations  which  he  made  in  a  short  tour,  setting  forth 
a  great  change,  as  follows: 

"A  few  weeks  since,  I  took  a  little  journey  toward  the 
rising  of  the  sun,  and,  in  riding  about  fifty  miles,  passed 
half-way  through  the  territory  of  a  circuit  as  it  was  in  1 804. 
Then  I  was  alone,  without  a  colleague,  and  my  voice  alone 
was  heard  as  the  'voice  of  one  crying  in  the  wilderness.' 
I  had  preaching-places,  but  they  were  small  cabins,  and 
far  apart;  congregations,  but  they  were  small;  classes,  but 
they  were  few  in  number,  'like  a  handful  of  corn  on  the 
top  of  the  mountains;'  but  now  the  fruit  shakes,  like  the 
clusters  of  Lebanon.  0,  bless  the  Lord,  said  my  heart, 
this  is  his  doing,  and  to  him  be  all  the  glory!  In  the 
above  distance  I  passed  through,  and  was  in  the  bounds  of, 
five  populous  circuits,  so  compact  and  well  arranged,  that 
the  preachers  have  much  time  for  pastoral  visiting  and 
oversight — say  one-third.  This  is  as  it  should  be:  now 
Sabbath  schools  can  be  properly  organized  and  managed; 
now  Bible  classes  can  be  got  up  in  every  society;  now 
every  family  can  be  visited  once  or  twice  in  the  year,  and 
the  complaint  no  more  be  heard,  from  poor  or  rich,  '  Our 
ministers  never  visit  us.'  In  this  pleasant  field — yea, 
garden — there  are  ten  effective  laborers,  and  work  enough 
for  them  all;  and,  as  far  as  I  could  learn,  they  are  both 
able  and  willing  to  do  the  work  of  evangelists,  and  make 
full  proof  of  their  ministry.     Success  to  them;  and  may  the 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  Ql  INN.  155 

pleasure  of  the  Lord  prosper  in  their  hands;  the  people  re- 
ceive them  as  the  embassadors  of  Christ;  and  the  stewards 

take  a  lively  interest,  and,  with  the  people,  say  they  shall 
have  a  comfortable  support.  This,  also,  is  as  it  should 
be,  as  it  will  facilitate  the  usefulness  of  the  preachers. 
One  other  subject  of  vital  interest  I  beg  leave  to  notice. 
As  I  passed  up  on  one  highway  and  returned  by  another, 
I  counted  eleven  neat  brick  meeting-houses;  ten  of  them 
the  property  of — not  the  bishops  or  ministers — the  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  America;  two 
of  these  with  steeples  and  bells — would  you  have  thought 
it? — but  none  of  them  with  pews;  that's  right — Methodists 
stick  to  that;  let  your  seats  be  as  free  as  salvation;  but  be 
sure  to  seat  on  the  new  plan.  The  other  church,  with  a 
basement  story,  is,  as  I  was  informed,  held  jointly  by 
Presbyterians  and  Methodists;  may  be  this  will  do;  they 
may  and  ought  to  regard  each  other  as  orthodox  Churches, 
and  contend  earnestly  for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the 
saints;  let  each  preach  fearlessly  the  doctrines  which  he 
honestly  believes  to  be  according  to  godliness,  and  labor 
for  the  conversion  of  sinners,  and  the  upbuilding  of  the 
saints.  There  are  many  more  meeting-houses,  in  the 
bounds  of  these  lovely  circuits,  the  property  of  our  people, 
and  many  the  property  of  other  denominations,  which  I 
saw  not.  These  things  tell  well  of  the  state  of  religion  in 
that  section  of  our  highly-favored  land,  where  I  could 
cheerfully  have  lived  and  died.  But  I  must  now  return 
to  my  own  little  field  of  labor;  and,  thanks  to  my  blessed 
Master!  I  yet  have  a  little  strength  to  labor  in  the  vine- 
yard; and  long  ago  I  promised  that  I  would  do  that  part 
of  the  work,  at  those  times  and  in  those  places,  which 
might  be  judged  most  for  his  glory.  Here  I  have  a  two 
weeks'  circuit — twelve  appointments  to  fill  in  fourteen 
days,  and  fifteen  classes  to  meet;  my  family  twenty 
miles  distant — no  parsonage — not  much  time  for  rest  or 


156  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

visiting,  yet  I  visit  a  little,  and  have  thought  of  an  expe- 
dient: it  now  takes  me  twelve  days  to  go  round  my 
circuit,  so  I'll  take  twenty-four,  and  spend  two  in  each 
society — the  first  in  visiting,  and  the  second  in  preaching 
and  meeting  class. 

"Lord,  help  thy  poor  servant!     This  field  requires  the 
vigor  and  zeal  of  youth;  but, 

'If  such  a  worm  as  I  cau  spread 
The  blessed  Savior's  name/ 

quicken,  0,  quicken  me  to  do  thy  work!" 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  157 


CHAPTER   X. 

Is  appointed  presiding  elder  on  the  Lebanon  district — Adam 
Miller's  notice  of  him — Attends  the  General  conference  at  Cincin- 
nati— Canada  conference  claim — Bible  Society — Missionary  secre- 
tary— Liberia  conference  formed — Rule  to  locate  a  preacher — 
Death  of  Bishops  M 'Ken dree  and  Emory — Waugh,  Fi-k,  and  Mor- 
ris elected — Fisk  to  be  ordained  when  he  should  return  from 
Europe — lie  is  safe  in  counsel — His  views  of  bishops — Is  appointed 
to  the  Chilicothe  district — Great  improvement  in  twenty-four 
years — Reminiscences — Bishop  Asbury  among  log-cabins — On  the 
Muskingum — Entrance  of  Methodism  into  Marietta — Continues 
three  years  on  this  district — Affecting  incident — Ministers  should 
instruct  the  children — His  skill  and  success  as  a  pastor — A  good 
"work  on  pastoral  visits  a  desideratum — Books  enough  to  aid  in 
pulpit  labors — The  importance  of  visiting  pastorally — If  we  would 
maintain  spiritual  life  as  a  Church,  it  must  be  done — Two  instances 
of  his  skill  and  success  in  this  work — His  striking  manner  cf  set- 
ting forth  practical  truths  in  his  discourses — Two  specimens — His 
power  in  the  pulpit — Twenty  men  added  to  the  Church  under  one 
sermon — A  specimen  of  his  pulpit  eloquence — Wonderful  effects. 

At  the  conference  held  at  Springfield,  August  19, 
1835,  Mr.  Quinn  was  appointed  presiding  elder  on  the 
Lebanon  district,  embracing  nine  charges;  namely,  Leba- 
non, Wilmington,  Hamilton  and  Rossville,  Germantown, 
Oxford,  Eaton,  Greenville,  Westchester,  and  Dayton. 
Although  his  health  and  strength  were  scarcely  sufficient 
for  the  labor  of  this  district,  yet  he  prosecuted  his  work 
with  great  energy,  and  for  the  most  part  met  his  appoint- 
ments punctually,  and  labored  with  great  acceptability  and 
usefulness. 

Rev.  Adam  Miller,  M.  D.,  who  was  that  year  on  Green- 
ville circuit,  has  kindly  furnished  me  with  the  following 
notice  of  Mr.  Quinn.  He  says,  "  I  was  gratified  to  learn 
that  father  Quinn  was  my  presiding  elder,  and  delighted 
with  the  prospect  of  forming  a  more  intimate  acquaintance 
with  a  man  of  whom  I  had  heard  so  many  favorable  ac- 
counts.    I  waited  with  some  anxiety  for  his  appearance  at 

14 


158  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

our  first  quarterly  meeting,  which  was  held  in  the  town  of 
Greenville.  He  came  at  the  appointed  hour,  and  I  had 
the  pleasure  of  his  company  at  my  house.  His  pious 
example  and  well-directed  conversation  were  calculated 
to  make  a  deep  and  lasting  impression  on  all  with  whom 
he  associated;  and  I  felt  that  it  was  a  privilege  to  entertain 
so  distinguished  and  pious  a  guest.  He  preached  a  plain, 
practical  sermon  on  Saturday.  On  Sabbath  morning  he 
conducted  the  devotions  of  the  family.  While  reading  the 
lesson,  his  eyes  filled  up  with  tears,  and  he  appeared 
deeply  affected.  He  prayed  with  much  energy  and  pathos. 
After  prayer  he  remarked  that  a  strange  tenderness  of 
feeling  came  over  him  while  reading  the  Scriptures,  and 
that  it  was  not  usual  for  him  to  be  affected  so  much  in 
that  way. 

"After  conducting  the  exercises  of  our  morning  meeting, 
he  preached  at  eleven  o'clock,  using  for  his  text,  '  To-day, 
if  ye  will  hear  his  voice,'  etc.  It  was  soon  manifest  that 
his  feelings  would  carry  him  beyond  his  physical  strength . 
He  spoke  with  a  loud,  clear,  musical  voice;  and,  after 
having  set  forth  the  day  of  God's  grace  and  merciful  vis- 
itation to  sinners,  his  appeals  were  most  pointed  and  forci- 
ble, and  the  impression  made  on  the  congregation  was  deep 
and  powerful.  He  threw  his  whole  soul  into  his  subject, 
and  so  continued  till  near  the  close  of  his  sermon,  when 
his  bodily  strength  was  entirely  exhausted,  and  he  fell 
back  in  the  pulpit,  supported  by  Rev.  C.  W.  Swain.  After 
he  regained  his  strength  to  some  extent,  he  was  conveyed 
to  his  lodgings,  where  he  remained  several  days  in  a  very 
prostrated  condition.  In  this  affliction  not  a  murmur  or 
complaint  escaped  from  his  lips.  At  one  time  he  remarked, 
•It  would  be  a  strange  providence  if  I  were  to  be  taken 
away,  so  far  from  my  family  and  home.'  Yet  he  appeared 
perfectly  resigned  to  the  will  of  God.  When  the  time  for 
his   next   quarterly  meeting    arrived,  though   feeble,   he 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUITO.  159 

mounted  his  horse,  and  started  for  his  work,  in  the  spirit 
of  a  true  and  willing  itinerant. 

"Before  the  year  closed   my  health   failed,  and   I  was 

compelled  to  leave  the  circuit.  My  support  was  exceed- 
ingly limited — less  than  one  hundred  dollars  for  myself 
and  wife — quarterage,  fuel,  table  and  moving  expenses  all 
included.  With  this  amount  I  found  it  impossible  to  pay 
my  house  rent.  Father  Quinn  hearing  of  this,  when  he 
came  to  the  circuit  immediately  drew  up  a  subscription, 
headed  it  with  a  liberal  sum  himself,  collected  the  balance, 
paid  the  rent,  and  relieved  the  mind  of  an  afflicted  preacher. 
He  furnished  abundant  proof  that  he  had  a  heart  to  feel 
for,  and  sympathize  with,  and,  as  far  as  able,  relieve  the 
sufferings  of  others. 

"Such  was  his  retiring  modesty  and  gentleness  of  man- 
ner, that  he  was  loved  and  admired  most  by  those  who 

knew  him  best.     And,  taking  him  altooether  in  the  differ- 
ed & 

ent  relations  in  life,  as  a  Christian  and  minister,  I  doubt 
whether  'I  e'er  shall  look  upon  his  like  again.'  " 

Mr.  Quinn,  being  elected  a  delegate,  attended  the  ses- 
sion of  the  General  conference  at  Cincinnati,  May  1,  1836. 
The  General  conference  of  this  year  was  rendered  some- 
what famous,  on  account  of  its  discussions  on  the  subject 
of  slavery.  The  claim  of  the  Canada  conference  on  our 
Book  Concern  was  here  amicably  and  satisfactorily  ad- 
justed. 

The  conference  recommended  that  the  Bible  Society  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  be  dissolved,  and  that  all 
our  brethren  and  friends  unite  in  the  cordial  support  of 
the  American  Bible  Society.  This  recommendation  was 
readily  complied  with,  and  we  have  ever  since  co-operated 
with  our  great  national  institution  with  much  unanimity 
and  efficiency. 

The  Constitution  of  our  Missionary  Society  was  so 
altered,  as  to  provide  for  the  election  of  a  resident  corn;- 


160  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

spending  secretary,  b)r  the  General  conference,  who  should 
be  wholly  devoted  to  the  interests  of  the  Society,  under 
the  direction  of  the  Board  of  Managers. 

The  Liberia  mission  was  erected  into  an  annual  confer- 
ence, "possessing  all  the  rights,  powers,  and  privileges  of 
other  annual  conferences,  except  that  of  sending  delegates 
to  the  General  conference,  and  of  drawing  its  annual  divi- 
dends from  the  avails  of  the  Book  Concern  and  Char- 
tered Fund."  The  Ohio  conference,  being  very  large, 
both  in  numbers  and  territory,  was  divided. 

This  General  conference  passed  a  rule  authorizing  an 
annual  conference  to  locate  one  of  its  members  without 
his  consent,  whenever  he  renders  himself  "unacceptable 
to  the  people  as  a  traveling  preacher." 

Several  other  rules,  deemed  important,  were  adopted  by 
the  conference,  which  were  published  in  the  Discipline. 

During  the  year  1835  the  Church  had  been  called  to 
mourn  the  loss  of  her  senior  and  junior  bishops.  Bishop 
M'Kendree  had  exercised  the  functions  of  the  Episcopal 
office  for  nearly  twenty-seven  years,  and  Bishop  Emory  for 
about  two  years  and  six  months.  Both  had  filled  their 
office  with  dignity  and  usefulness,  and  safely  passed  away 
to  their  reward  in  heaven. 

The  committee  on  the  Episcopacy,  after  adverting  in  a 
most  touching  manner  to  the  death  of  Bishops  M'Kendree 
and  Emory,  reported  the  necessity  of  electing  three  addi- 
tional bishops,  and  the  report  was  adopted  by  the  confer- 
ence. Accordingly,  on  the  23d  of  May,  Beverly  Waagh, 
Wilbur  Fisk,  and  Thomas  A.  Morris  were  duly  elected 
to  the  office  of  bishop;  and,  on  the  27th,  Beverly  Waugh 
and  Thomas  A.  Morris  were  solemnly  consecrated,  by  the 
imposition  of  hands  and  prayer,  to  their  responsible,  im- 
portant, and  holy  work.  Dr.  Wilbur  Fisk,  who  was  then 
absent  in  Europe,  was  to  be  ordained  as  soon  as  he  re- 
turned and  it  was  ascertained  he  would  accept  the  appoint- 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QTTINN.  161 

ment.  He,  however,  declined  the  office  on  his  retain  to 
the  United  States,  and  before  the  next  General  conference 

he  was  removed  from  labor  and  suffering  to  his  eternal 
reward  in  a  better  world. 

The  pastoral  address  adopted  by  this  conference  was  an 
important  Church  paper,  and,  no  doubt,  exerted  a  salutary 
influence  through  the  entire  ministry  and  membership  of 
our  wide-spread  connection. 

In  the  deliberations  and  action  of  the  conference,  in  all 
its  measures,  Mr.  Quinn  participated,  watching  with  vigi- 
lance all  the  interests,  and  guarding  with  much  care  every 
important  principle  of  our  beloved  Methodism.  He  was 
considered  a  wise  and  safe  man  in  counsel,  but  never 
was  much  of  a  debater  on  the  floor  of  the  General  con- 
ference. Indeed,  he  seldom  made  a  speech  in  that  body, 
but  in  the  committee  room,  in  consultation  with  his  own 
delegation,  and  in  conversation  with  other  members,  his 
great  influence  was  exerted,  felt,  and  often  accomplished 
much.  He  had  now  served  as  an  industrious  and  efficient 
member  of  eight  sessions  of  the  General  conference  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church;  and,  so  far  as  the  writer  is 
informed,  he  always  discharged  his  duties  as  a  delegate 
to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  his  brethren  who  elected  him. 
With  the  session  of  1836  he  closed  his  important  services, 
which  he  rendered  the  Church  in  this  responsible  relation. 
And,  as  he  had  just  cast  his  last  vote  directly  in  the  elec-. 
tion  of  a  bishop,  and  assisted  in  promoting  two  to  office  as 
chief  among  their  brethren,  it  may  not  be  amiss  in  this 
place  to  present  to  the  reader  his  own  views  of  the  experi- 
mental and  practical  qualifications  of  a  Methodist  itinerant 
general  superintendent.  They  are  expressed  in  a  published 
communication,  dated  December  4,  1842: 

"Now  see  Morris  bound  for  Texas,  pretty  much  in  olden 
style,  only  1  think  he  rode  in  a  buggy — but  he  made  up 
for  that  by  camping  in  the  w<x  ds.  Asbury  and  M'Kendree, 
14* 


162  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

however,  had  done  so  before  him.  Soule  and  Roberts, 
too,  understood  this  business,  in  their  tours  to  the  far,  far 
west.  Then  look  at  Bishop  Soule.  He  leaves  the  wharf 
at  New  York,  escorted  to  the  ship  by  a  company  of  the 
reverend  clergy,  lands  in  England,  dashes  oft'  to  Wales, 
then  to  Ireland,  then  back  to  England,  then  to  France, 
etc.  Presently  we  find  him  back  at  New  York;  from 
thence  he  sets  out  on  Friday,  as  if  on  the  wings  of  the 
wind;  spends  part  of  a  day  in  Baltimore;  and  now  behold 
him  in  Martinsburg,  Va.,  at  the  distance  of  say  three 
hundred  miles,  on  the  Sabbath,  preaching  the  dedication 
sermon  in  the  newly-erected  house  of  God,  and  in  a  day  or 
two  more  he  is  'o'er  the  hills  and  far  away.'  Well,  now, 
if  the  superintendency  may  be  perpetuated  in  the  hands 
of  such  men  as  these,  and  the  plan,  withal,  be  preserved 
unimpaired,  then  may  the  itinerancy  and  the  Church  have 
stability  and  perpetuity  on  the  well-secured  and  well-tried 
platform.  But  changes  may  take  place;  for  if  the  General 
conference,  by  oversight,  or  a  latitude  of  construction 
altogether  inferential  in  its  character,  and  contrary  to  the 
plain  letter  of  the  constitution,  may  be  composed  in  part, 
or  in  whole,  of  those  who  have  never  traveled  four  or 
even  one  full  calendar  year,  then,  by  the  same  latitude 
of  construction,  a  man  or  men,  who  have  never  been 
pastors  themselves,  who  have  never  'ruled  well'  or  ill, 
may  be  raised  to  the  superintendency,  and  clothed  by 
the  General  conference  with  executive  power  to  choose 
their  own  council,  and  then  dispose  of  the  pastoral  labors 
of  three  thousand  itinerant  pastors,  although  they  them- 
selves should  never  have  been  either  itinerants  or  pastors. 
Then,  indeed,  it  might  be  proper  so  to  amend  the  consti- 
tution as  to  take  the  appointment  of  the  council  of  pre- 
siding elders  out  of  the  hands  of  the  superintendents. 
But  my  days  of  personal  responsibility  are  nearly  num- 
bered; yet  still  I  feel  a  deep  interest — have  my  eyes  and 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUI  NX.  163 

ears  open  to  all  that  relates  to  the  welfare  of  our  Zion; 
and  I  hope  to  pray  for  the  peace  of  Jerusalem  till  my  eyes 
are  closed,  and  my  voice  lost  in  the  darkness  and  silence 
of  death." 

After  the  adjournment  of  the  conference,  which  was 
late  on  the  evening  of  the  27th  of  May,  Mr.  Quinn  returned 
to  his  work  on  the  district,  where  he  continued  to  labor  to 
the  end  of  the  conference  year,  beloved  and  honored  by 
the  preachers  and  people  of  his  charge. 

At  the  session  of  the  Ohio  conference  held  at  Chilicothe, 
September  28,  1836,  Mr.  Quinn  was  appointed  presiding 
elder  of  the  Chilicothe  district,  which  then  embraced  the 
following  charges;  namely,  Chilicothe,  Piketon,  Ports- 
mouth, Brush  Creek,  Bainbridge,  Hillsboro,  Deer  Creek, 
and  Washington.  This  district,  having  fewer  charges,  was 
better  suited  to  his  enfeebled  state  of  health  than  Lebanon. 
It  was,  also,  more  convenient  to  his  residence,  and  required 
less  traveling  to  reach  the  various  appointments.  All  this 
field  of  labor,  and  a  great  deal  more,  he  embraced  in  his 
old  Scioto  district,  on  which  he  served  four  years  from  the 
fall  of  1812.  What  a  wonderful  change  had  come  over 
the  earth's  surface  in  twenty-four  years  in  this  region! 
Much  of  the  dense  forest  had  been  subdued,  and  con- 
verted into  fruitful  fields,  and  literally  the  wilderness  had 
been  made  to  "blossom  as  the  rose."  And  the  log-cabins 
had  principally  given  place  to  splendid  frame,  stone,  or 
brick  mansions,  while  nearly  every  farm  was  ornamented 
with  a  good  barn;  and,  instead  of  worshiping  in  log  meet- 
ing-houses and  private  dwellings,  he  found  many  spacious 
churches  erected.  How  very  striking  must  the  contrast 
have  appeared  to  our  rejoicing  itinerant  pioneer!  It 
is  reasonable  to  suppose  that  many  reminiscences  of  by- 
gone days  would  rise  up  before  his  mind,  interest  his 
thoughts,  and  affect  his  heart.  He  took  great  pleasure  in 
conversing  on  the  subject  of  the  great  changes  which  had 


164  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

taken  place  during  his  acquaintance  and  labors  in  the 
west,  with  the  children  and  grandchildren  of  his  old  and 
early  friends,  who  used  to  welcome  him  to  their  log-cabins 
when  he  first  came  among  them  to  proclaim  the  unsearch- 
able riches  of  Christ.  He  sometimes  descanted  on  this 
contrast  very  profitably  in  his  public  addresses;  but  nearly 
all  that  was  oral  has  been  lost  to  his  friends  and  the  world. 
I  find  the  following  reminiscences  written,  which  I  know 
will  interest  the  reader.  He  entitles  it,  "Bishop  Asbury 
anions  the  loo--cabins:" 

"I  once  had  the  pleasure  of  accompanying  Bishop 
Asbury  ten  days,  on  one  of  his  western  tours  through  the 
then  infant  state  of  Ohio,  in  the  days  of  log-cabins;  and 
they  were  not  such  unsightly  things,  if  coon  and  wildcat 
skins  were  han^ino;  round  the  walls,  and  deer  horns 
strewed  over  the  roof,  and  wild  turkeys'  wings  sticking 
about  in  the  cracks;  for  they  were1— with  few  exceptions — 
the  best  dwellings  in  the  land.  Well,  in  many  of  these 
we  met  a  smiling  welcome,  and  were  most  hospitably  en- 
tertained, and  the  good  Bishop  always  made  himself 
pleasant  and  cheerful  with  the  families,  so  that  they  soon 
forgot  all  embarrassment,  and  appeared  as  easy  in  their 
feelings  as  if  they  had  received  the  Bishop  into  ceiled  and 
carpeted  parlors — as  some  of  them  had  in  the  old  states. 
Some  of  them  were  very  neat  and  clean,  fitted  up  in  good 
taste,  which  showed  that  if  madam  could  not  play  on  the 
piano-forte,  she  had  taken  lessons  from  Israel's  wise  king, 
and  knew  well  how  to  look  to  the  affairs  of  her  house,  if 
it  was  a  cabin.  It  must  be  confessed,  however,  that  all 
were  not  so;  for  it  was  our  sad  lot  to  fall  in  with  one  or 
two  that  were  miserably  filthy,  and  fearfully  infested  with 
vermin.  This  was  a  heavy  tax  on  the  feelings  of  the  poor 
Bishop;  for  he  had  as  fair,  and  as  clear,  and  thin  a  skin, 
as  ever  came  from  England,  and  in  him  the  sense  of  smell- 
ing and  tasting  were   most  exquisite.     But,  dear  souls, 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  165 

they  were  as  kind  as  you  please,  and  the  Bishop  did  not 
hurt  their  feelings,  but  prayed  for  them,  and  talked  good 
to  them.  Many  of  them  have  got  better  houses  since  that 
time — have  made  good  improvements,  and  their  daughters 
have  come  out  quite  polished.  But  we  got  to  quarterly 
meeting — for  he  was  passing  my  district — and  a  most 
blessed  season  we  had:  sinners  awakened,  souls  converted, 
believers  quickened,  backsliders  reclaimed.  0,  the  Master 
of  assemblies  was  with  us  of  a  truth!  Quarterly  meeting 
conference  came  on.  'Well,  Mr.  Asbury,  you  will  attend 
with  us  and  preside?'  'No,  son,'  was  the  reply,  'let  every 
man  stand  in  his  lot,  and  do  his  part  of  the  work;  when 
you  shall  have  got  through  your  business  let  me  know, 
and  I  will  come  and  see  you.'  So  we  went  to  business 
pretty  expeditiously,  expecting  an  address  from  the  Bishop. 
We  had  no  long,  tough  speeches,  and  those  repeated;  but 
went  through,  and  brought  our  business  to  a  close  in  due 
time;  sent  a  messenger  to  inform  him  that  we  were  ready 
to  receive  him.  He  came,  took  the  chair,  and  after  a 
short  pause,  commenced  taking  notice  of  the  infancy  of 
the  state,  the  infancy  of  the  Church,  the  toils  and  priva- 
tions, the  trials  and  temptations,  peculiar  to  such  a  state 
of  things,  and  the  great  necessity  of  watchfulness  and 
prayer,  and  diligent  attendance  on  the  means  of  grace, 
both  public  and  private.  He  spoke  of  his  own  toils,  cares, 
and  anxieties  with  some  emotion;  of  the  great  and  glorious 
extension  and  spread  of  the  work  of  God  in  the  east  and 
south,  also  in  the  west  and  south-west,  both  among  the 
Methodists  and  other  Christian  people.  He  spoke  with 
much  feeling.  '  But  the  quarterly  conference — the  import- 
ance of  this  branch  of  our  ecclesiastical  economy — "to 
hear  complaints,  to  receive  and  try  appeals"  and  thus 
guard  the  rights  and  privileges  of  the  membership  against 
injury  from  an  incorrect  administration;  to  try,  and  even 
expel,  preachers,  deacons,  and  elders;  to  examine,  license, 


166  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

and  recommend  to  office  in  the  local  department;  to  recom- 
mend for  admission  into  the  traveling  connection  persons 
as  possessing  grace,  gifts,  and  usefulness  for  the  great  and 
important  work  of  the  Gospel  ministry;  surely  you  will  see 
and  feel  the  highly-responsible  station  which  you  fill  as 
members  of  this  body.  We  send  you  our  sons  in  the 
Gospel  to  minister  to  you  the  word  of  life,  and  watch  over 
your  souls  as  they  that  must  give  account.  That  they 
may  become  men,  men  of  God  and  even  fathers  among 
you,  help  them  in  their  great  work;  and  that  you  may 
help  them  understandingly,  read,  mark,  learn,  and  in- 
wardly digest  your  excellent  Discipline:  it  is  plain,  simple, 
and  Scriptural.  It  is  true,  speculative  minds  may  find  or 
make  difficulties  where  there  are  none.  [I  am  not  ashamed 
to  confess  that  I  learned  something  during  this  lecture 
that  I  thought  well  worth  taking  care  of.]  But  a  few 
words  about  your  manner  of  living  at  the  present.  You 
are  now  in  your  log-cabins,  and  busily  engaged  in  clear- 
ing out  your  lands.  Well,  think  nothing  of  this.  I  have 
been  a  man  of  cabins  for  these  many  years,  and  I  have 
been  lodged  in  many  a  cabin  as  clean  and  sweet  as  a 
palace;  and  I  have  slept  on  many  coarse,  hard  beds, 
which  have  been  as  clean  and  as  sweet  as  water  and  soap 
could  make  them,  and  not  a  flea  nor  a  bug  to  annoy. 
[Here  I  had  to  hang  my  head.  Dear  old  gentleman,  he 
had  not  forgotten  the  other  night  when  he  got  no  sleep.] 
Keep/  said  the  Bishop,  'the  whisky  bottle  out  of  your 
cabins,  away  far  from  your  premises.  Never  fail  in  the 
offering  up  of  the  morning  and  evening  sacrifice  with  your 
families.  Keep  your  cabins  clean,  for  your  healths'  sake, 
and  for  your  souls'  sake,  [put  this  on  to  your  wives  and 
daughters;]  for  there  is  no  religion  in  dirt,  and  filth,  and 
fleas.  But,'  said  he,  'of  this  no  more.  If  you  do  not 
wish  the  Lord  to  forsake  your  cabin,  do  not  forsake  his; 
you  will  lose  nothing,  but  be  gainers,  even  in  temporal 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QVINN.  167 

things,  by  going  and  taking  your  household  with  you, 
even  on  a  week  day;  you  can  not  all  have  Sabbath  preach- 
ing. It  is  time  we  close  for  evening  service.'  A  few 
words  more  in  commending  us  to  God  and  the  word  of  his 
grace;  and  then  what  a  prayer!  how  spiritual,  how  fer- 
vent, how  fully  adapted  to  the  state  of  the  country  and 
the  Church  as  they  then  were!  Truly,  it  might  be  said, 
he  was  mighty  in  prayer." 

The  following  reminiscences  on  the  Muskingum  I  find 
in  printed  form.  It  certainly  is  too  valuable  to  be  lost; 
I  therefore  rescue  it  from  oblivion  for  the  benefit  of  the 
reader.     It  is  softly  pleasing: 

"One  trait  in  Methodist  itinerancy,  is  to  hold  fast 
whereunto  it  has  attained,  remembering  that  the  proud, 
the  slothful  man,  roasteth  not  that  which  he  took  in  hunt- 
ing. Accordingly,  in  the  spring  of  1800,  D.  Hitt,  pre- 
siding elder  of  Redstone  district,  brought  me  on  to  Mus- 
kingum, to  keep  up  the  appointments  and  take  care  of  the 
societies  which  had  been  raised  by  Robert  Manly  in  the 
course  of  the  preceding  year,  there  to  remain  till  the 
preachers  should  return  from  conference;  and  truly  I 
found  that  that  good  man  and  good  preacher  had  not  been 
idle;  nor  had  he  labored  in  vain.  He  was  not  a  learned 
man;  and  yet  I  found  his  evangelical  marks  in  living  epis- 
tles all  through  the  country.  I  had  made  one  round  on 
the  circuit,  and  came  to  Olive  Green,  where  I  was  met  by 
a  person  in  search  of  a  preacher  to  preach  a  funeral  ser- 
mon, at  or  near  a  place  called  the  Big  Rock,  some  eight 
or  ten  miles  farther  up  the  Muskingum  than  we  had  been. 
A  company  of  Yermonters  had  made  a  settlement  at  that 
place;  and  a  few  weeks  after  they  got  there,  the  pale 
horse  and  his  rider  had  made  them  a  visit,  and  a  Mrs. 
White  had  fallen  a  victim.  She  was  pious,  and  died  in 
the  Lord.  Here  were  the  Whites,  the  Richmonds,  and 
Cheedles,   etc.,   eight  or  ten   families   in  all,  not  one  of 


168  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

■whom  had  ever  seen  the  face,  or  heard  the  voice  of  a 
Methodist  preacher  before;  but  they  were  a  religious  set 
of  Congregationalists,  and  soon,  with  one  accord,  fell  into 
the  ranks  of  Methodism.  After  the  sermon,  we  moved  in 
solemn  silence  to  the  grave.  It  was  on  the  second  bank,  a 
high  bluff,  in  a  thick  forest  of  beech  and  sugar,  clear  of 
under  brush.  After  the  corpse  was  laid  in  the  grave,  the 
father  of  the  deceased  lady  delivered  a  short  address, 
truly  patriarchal  in  its  character,  which  was  closed  with  a 
modest  eulogy  on  his  deceased  daughter.  This  done,  the 
company  joined  in  singing  a  beautiful  funeral  anthem;  and 
as  they  were  good  singers,  and  carried  the  parts,  the  mu- 
sic was  most  charming.  I  was  ready  to  conclude  that, 
while  the  warbling  songsters  of  the  forest  had  let  fall  their 
highest  notes,  the  angels — who  had  just  borne  the  first 
redeemed  and  blood-washed  spirit  from  that  settlement  to 
paradise — had  returned,  and,  hovering  on  the  wing,  were 
wondering  at  the  love  that  crowned  us,  and,  joining  in  the 
sweet  songs  of  Zion,  now  literally  making  glad  the  wilder- 
ness and  solitary  places,  on  a  funeral  occasion.  I  was 
then  going  to  'Brush  College.'  " 

I  present  another  of  his  recollections,  in  relation  to  the 
entrance  of  Methodism  into  Marietta.  Referring  to  the 
notice  which  Dr.  Bangs  has  taken  of  the  same  subject,  in 
his  History  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  he  says: 

"  It  is  true  the  Congregationalists  held  the  religious  sway; 
but  there  were  many  of  the  disciples  of  Winchester,  as 
also  of  Paine,  here;  and  scarcely  the  form  of  godliness  was 
to  be  seen  among  them.  Many  attempts  had  been  made 
to  find  an  entrance,  but  without  success.  Manly  had  tried; 
Stoneman — who  had  traveled  among  the  Yankees  in  the 
land  of  steady  habits — Quinn,  Askins,  and  others  had 
tried;  but  all  to  little  purpose.  A  few  times  we  got  to 
preach,  and  once  or  twice  in  the  house  of  this  same  Jonas 
Johnson,  through  the  influence  of  his  wife,  who  was  an 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  109 

amiable  woman,  though  a  disciple  of  Winchester.  Jacob 
Young  \\«nt  on  in  the  fall  of  1804;  bu1  the  meeting  of 
which  the  Doctor  speaks  took  place  in  the  summer  of  1805. 
I  had  the  pleasure  and  profil  ol  b<  ing  at  thai  m<  i 
I!;"  her  Young  had  been  broughl  near  to  death,  by  a  long 
and  very  severe  fever,  and  providentially  fell  in  Marietta, 
where  the  people,  in  their  kind  attentions  to  the  strs  i 
saw  what  Methodisl  religion  could  do  for  a  sick  man,  ap- 
tly near  death,  far  from  home,  and  among  strangers. 
Some  had  seen,  and  others  had  heard.  After  the  Lord 
had — almost  miraculously — raised  him  up,  he  gave  him 
favor  and  influence  among  the  people,  and  the  work  began 
t«>  revive.  Brother  Burke  was  our  presiding  elder,  Luther 
Taylor  was  on  Scioto,  J.  Quinn  on  Hocking,  J.  Young  on 
Muskingum  alone.  Brother  B.  had  obtained  the  services 
of  G.  C.  Light — not  at  that  time  admitted  on  trial — and 
sent  him  to  help  brother  Young,  in  the  summer  of  1805. 
Brother  Burke  came  to  the  quarterly  meeting,  bringing 
with  him  brother  Taylor.  He  sent  us  both  on  to  help 
brother  Y.  at  his  camp  quarterly  meeting  at  Marietta, 
while  he  went  up  the  country  toward  Steubenville.  As 
we  had  a  Avilderness  of  forty  or  lift}-  miles  along  an  old 
Indian  trace,  from  the  head  to  the  mouth  of  Wolf  creek, 
Ave  had  the  pleasure  of  sleeping  securely  in  the  woods  one 
night,  near  an  old  Indian  encampment.  We  received  no 
harm,  but  had  a  very  good  appetite  for  our  breakfast, 
when  we  reached  Waterford  next  morning  about  nine 
o'clock.  When  we  reached  the  place  of  meeting,  Jacob 
Young  was  preaching,  and  we  soon  found  God  himself 
was  there.  We  felt  the  spirit,  and  entered  into  the  work. 
Brothers  Young  and  Light  were  in  the  right  spirit,  and  in 
their  place.  Brother  Taylor — who  was  a  good  speaker — 
preached  on  the  Sabbath,  with  the  Holy  Ghost  sent  down 
from  heaven.  Showers  of  grace  came  down,  and  showers 
of  tears  fell.  I  guess  some  of  the  New  Englanders  had 
15 


170  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

never  seen  the  like  before;  and  yet  there  was  but  little 
noise  either  by  saint  or  sinner.  It  fell  to  my  lot  to  admin- 
ister, and  the  first  person  who  advanced  and  fell  upon  his 
knees  to  receive  baptism,  by  pouring,  was  Jonas  Johnson. 
Next  came  a  ruddy  youth.  He  has  now  been  a  preacher 
for  thirty  years  or  more,  and  was  once  my  presiding  elder. 
Several  others,  also,  were  baptized,  and  it  was  a  blessed 
season,  during  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  supper. 
About  this  time  James  Whitney — long  and  favorably 
known — began  to  lend  an  ear  and  turn  his  feet  to  the 
testimonies  of  the  Lord.  Mr.  Babcock,  his  amiable  family, 
and  others,  whose  names  I  have  forgotten,  became  the 
subjects  of  grace.  The  meeting  went  on,  and  closed  well, 
and  brother  Taylor  and  myself  concluded  that  Ave  were 
well  paid  for  our  trouble;  but  as  we  did  not  much  relish 
another  night  in  the  green  house,  we  found  our  way  back 
to  our  circuits  by  another  route,  each  having  got  a  good 
lesson  in  'Brush  College.'  " 

It  appears  this  Mr.  Jonas  Johnson  was  a  man  of  consid- 
erable influence  in  the  neighborhood,  but  a  professed  dis- 
ciple of  Thomas  Paine.  After  his  conversion  he  burnt  all 
his  infidel  books,  and  adopted  those  of  an  opposite  charac- 
ter, with  the  Bible  and  Hymn-Book.  He  threw  all  his 
great  influence  into  the  scale  of  piety,  and  labored  zeal- 
ously to  advance  the  faith  which  he  had  long  endeavored 
to  destroy,  and  was  useful. 

Mr.  Quinn  labored  on  this  district  three  years  in  succes- 
sion, his  term  of  service  terminating  in  the  fall  of  1839. 
Some  time  during  this  period  there  was  an  incident  devel- 
oped which  I  deem  worthy  of  record  in  his  Life.  In  the 
early  part  of  his  ministry  he  was  traveling  in  a  sparsely- 
settled  country,  and  along  a  road  rather  difficult  to  find. 
When  he  called  to  inquire  the  way,  the  kind  gentleman, 
fearing  he  might  not  be  able  to  follow  his  directions,  sent 
his  little  son  some  two  miles  with  him,  to  show  him  the 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUI  NX.  171 

right  road.  Mr.  Quinn  improved  tlie  time  in  instructing 
this  little  boy  in  his  duties  to  God,  his  parents,  and  broth*  rs 
and  sisters.  He  told  him  of  a  Savior's  love,  who  died  for 
him  and  all  our  race,  and  urged  him  to  pray  to  the  Lord 
as  often  as  he  ate,  and  seek  first  the  kingdom  of  God. 
When  tin}  arrived  at  the  place  of  separation  Mr.  Quinn 
gave  him  his  knife,  and  the  little  boy  returned  home,  with 
the  seeds  of  grace  sown  in  his  heart,  accompanied  with 
the  prayers  and  blessing  of  the  man  of  God.  A  fur  the 
lapse  of  more  than  thirty  years,  Mr.  Quinn  was  hailed  in 
the  street  of  one  of  the  towns  of  his  district  by  a  man,  who 
inquired  if  his  name  was  Quinn,  a  Methodist  minister. 
He  told  him  it  was.  He  then  asked  him  if  he  recollected 
a  little  boy,  who  was  sent  by  his  father  to  show  him  the 
way  in  a  certain  section  of  the  country,  whom  he  in- 
structed in  the  great  system  of  salvation,  urged  him  to 
pray  as  often  as  he  ate,  and  on  parting  gave  him  a  knife. 
Mr.  Quinn  replied  he  recollected  all  the  circumstances  very 
well.  "Then,"  said  the  man,  "i  was  that  little  boy,  and 
have  the  pleasure  to  report  to  you  that  your  conversation 
was  a-pplied  by  the  divine  Spirit  to  my  young  heart;  and 
I  never  got  rid  of  the  powerful  impressions  I  then  re- 
ceived, but  yielded  to  your  counsel,  and  commenced  pray- 
ing to  God,  and  in  my  youth  I  obtained  the  pearl  of  great 
price,  and  still  retain  the  precious  treasure  in  my  heart. 
When  I  grew  up  I  married,  and  now  have  a  family  of 
children.  My  wife  and  all  my  children  who  are  large 
enough  are  members — with  me — of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church;  and,  I  trust,  we  are  all  on  the  way  to  heaven. 
1  have  recently  removed  to  the  west." 

Let  all  ministers  be  encouraged  to  pay  special  attention 
to  the  little  children,  and  instruct  them  in  experimental  and 
practical  godliness,  according  to  their  capaci  y.  whenever 
opportunity  oilers.      It  may  "be  as  the  I  a  the 

waters,  which  may  be  gathered  up  after  many  days." 


172  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

I  have  had  occasion  several  times  to  refer  to  Mr.  Quinn's 
qualifications  and  success  as  a  pastor;  but  as  this  is  such 
an  important  feature  in  the  portrait  of  a  minister,  and  as  I 
have  additional  instances  of  his  great  skill  and  usefulness 
in  that  department,  I  may  be  permitted  to  recur  to  it  once 
more.  Some  ministers  appear  to  act  as  though  they 
thought  their  work  was  all  in  the  pulpit,  and  hence,  after 
the  delivery  of  their  sermon,  they  do  but  little  else  than  to 
prepare  for  the  next  performance.  Not  so  with  Mr.  Quinn; 
for  after  he  had  closed  his  labors  in  the  pulpit,  he  consid- 
ered his  work  was  not  half  done;  but,  in  compliance  with 
our  excellent  Discipline,  he  went  into  every  house  in  course, 
as  he  had  opportunity,  and  taught  every  one  therein, 
young  and  old,  to  be  Christians  inwardly  and  outwardly. 
He  endeavored  to  make  every  particular  plain  to  their 
understandings — to  fix  it  in  their  minds  and  write  it  on 
their  hearts.  A  minister  certainly  ought  to  do  his  whole 
duty,  at  all  times,  under  a  clear  conviction  produced  in  his 
conscience  by  those  solemn  words  addressed  to  Timothy: 
"I  charge  thee  before  God  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who 
shall  judge  the  quick  and  the  dead  at  his  appearing,  preach 
the  word;  be  instant  in  season  and  out  of  season;  reprove, 
rebuke,  exhort,  with  all  long-suffering " — that  is,  with  all 
long-mindedness.  Be  constantly  inspired  with  the  consid- 
eration, the  chief  Shepherd  will  soon  come;  the  judge  of 
quick  and  dead  will  soon  appear;  therefore,  never  allow 
thy  patience  to  be  exhausted,  or  relax  thy  diligence. 

A  good  work  on  the  duties  and  encouragements  of  a 
pastor,  adapted  to  the  United  States,  and  suited  to  the 
ministry  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  is,  certainly, 
a  desideratum  with  us.  And  we  do  hope  some  competent 
writer,  who  has  studied  human  nature  in  all  its  phases — 
how  it  is  affected  by  every  degree  of  light  and  grace,  re- 
ceived into  the  mind  and  developed  in  the  life  of  different 
individuals,  and  one  who  is  practically  acquainted  with 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUITO*.  173 

all  the  responsibilities  and  duties  of  an  itineranl  Methodist 
preacher — will  soon  furnish  our  Church  with  such  a  book. 
Our  Discipline  says,  in  reference  to  the  pastoral  work 
which  it  enjoin.-.  "Can  we  find  a  better  method  of  doing 
this  than  Mr.  Baxter's?  It'  Dot,  lei  us  adopt  it  without 
delay.  His  whole  tract,  entitled  Otldas  Salvianus,  is  well 
worth  a  careful  perusal."  The  "Reformed  Pastor"  is 
the  tract  referre  !  to.  It  is  matter  of  deep  regret,  that 
ministers  have  so  little  to  aid  them  in  this  important 
part  of  their  work.  They  have  a  great  many  books 
issued  from  our  own  and  other  presses  to  assist  them  in 
their  pulpit  labors.  We  have  almost  any  quantity,  and 
one  may  suppose  a  sufficient  variety  in  quality,  of  skele- 
tons, sketches,  and  plans  of  sermons,  to  assist  the  minister 
in  his  preparations  for  the  pulpit.  He  has,  also,  Claude's 
Essay  on  the  Composition  and  Delivery  of  a  Sermon,  and 
Maury  on  Eloquence;  but  where  is  the  work  to  assist  him 
to  accomplish  the  greatest  possible  amount  of  good  in  vis- 
iting from  house  to  house,  as  the  pastor  of  his  flock? 

The  writer  thinks  himself  warranted  in  saying,  that  our 
ministry  generally  admit  the  necessity  of  an  increase  of 
zeal  and  diligence  in  the  performance  of  our  pastoral  du- 
ties. The  membership  see  ami  feel  the  importance  of  this 
work  fur  the  edification,  comfort,  and  salvation  of  them- 
selves ami  their  char  children.  Indeed,  this  work  is  essen- 
tial to  the  welfare  of  our  people;  and  if  Ave  would  have 
Mktiiodism  continue  to  deserve  the  definition  given  to  it  by 
Doctor  Chalmers — "Christianity  in  earnest" — it  must  be 
clone.  In  (dosing  this  paragraph,  the  writer  will  say,  that 
in  contemplating  the  fidelity  and  usefulness  of  Mr.  Quinn, 
as  a  pastor,  he  has  been  made  conscious  of  his  own  defects 
in  this  respect,  and  has  resolved  to  be  more  faithful  in  the 
future.  And  the  minister  who  may  honor  his  book  with  a 
perusal  is  assured,  if  he  will  form  the  same  purpose,  and 
prosecute  his  duties  as  pastor  with  greater  skill,  diligence, 
15* 


174  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

and  success,  one  important  object  had  in  view  in  writing 
this  biography  will  have  been  attained. 

In  a  letter  written  by  a  lady,  now  before  me,  she  testi- 
fies that  on  Mr.  Quinn's  first  visit  to  her  father's  house, 
which,  I  infer,  was  in  the  bounds  of  Winchester  circuit, 
Va.,  in  1802,  he  conversed  with  her  plainly  and  pointedly 
on  the  subject  of  her  personal  salvation.  Finding  her 
under  deep  concern,  and  inquiring  what  she  should  do  to 
be  saved,  he  took  much  pains  to  explain  to  her  the  method 
of  justification  by  faith.  And,  to  show  her  the  nature  of 
that  faith,  which  brings  pardon  and  regeneration  to  the 
soul,  he  told  her  his  own  experience.  He  then  entered 
into  a  solemn  covenant  to  pray  for  her,  and  pledged  him- 
self to  meet  her  at  the  throne  of  heavenly  grace  at  a  given 
hour  every  day,  till  he  came  round  to  that  part  of  the 
circuit  again.  But  before  the  time  expired  she  received 
the  answer  to  their  prayers,  and  when  they  met  she  was 
able  to  report,  in  the  fullness  of  her  joy,  that  her  soul 
was  happily  converted — created  anew  in  Christ  Jesus. 

It  appears  this  lady  subsequently  removed  with  her 
parents  to  the  west,  and  met  our  pioneer,  the  instrument 
of  her  conversion,  in  an  almost  unbroken  forest.  Mr. 
Quinn  witnessed  her  marriage  to  Rev.  Robert  Manly,  and 
pronounced  his  solemn  and  impressive  benediction  upon 
their  union.  But  in  less  than  ten  years  he  was  called  on 
to  preach  the  funeral  sermon  of  Mr.  Manly,  and  comfort 
the  heart  of  the  deeply-afflicted  and  bereaved  widow,  and 
not  long  after  to  bury  one  of  her  children.  After  nar- 
rating these  circumstances,  she  adds,  "  Shall  it  ever  be 
said  I  have  forgotten  such  a  friend?     Never!  no,  never!" 

Another  instance  of  Mr.  Quinn's  skill  and  success  as  a 
pastor  may  be  recorded,  for  the  benefit  of  the  reader.  An 
acquaintance  of  his — the  name  has  escaped  -me — had 
professed,  and  no  doubt  enjoyed  religion,  for  many  years, 
and  was  esteemed  a  very  acceptable  and  useful  member 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  175 

of  society.  In  some  way  his  friends  could  not  lecount 
for,  hi  fell  under  tlit-  power  of  his  subtile  enemy,  who 
robbed  him  of  his  confidence.  Many  of  his  friends  and 
some  preachers  labored  with  him;  they  tried  to  persuade 
him  it  was  nothing  but  a  temptation,  and  thai  he  ought 
not  bo  distrust  the  goodness  of  God,  or  doubt  his  promise; 
but  to  no  purpose-  The  power  of  the  tempter  appeared 
to  increase,  and  from  doubt  and  unbelief  he  yielded  to 
despair.  And,  bordering  on  insanity,  it  was  soon  reported 
in  his  neighborhood  that  he  was  deranged.  Mr.  Quinn, 
hearing  of  his  case,  with  much  sympathy  and  concern 
determined  to  visit  him,  and  make  an  effort  to  rescue  his 
friend  from  the  snare  of  the  devil.  Accordingly  he  en- 
tered the  atmosphere  of  gloom  and  despair,  and  present- 
ing a  bright  and  cheerful  countenance,  he  said  to  the 
despairing  man,  with  a  tone  of  voice  well  calculated 
to    inspire    confidence,    though   it  can  not  be   described, 

"Brother ,  the  Lord  has  taken  too  much  pains  with 

you  to  suffer  you  to  be  lost."  The  sound  and  sentiment 
aroused  the  man,  who  inquiringly  replied,  "Do  you  think 
so?"  "Yes,  I  am  certain  of  it,"  was  the  prompt  answer 
of  the  wise  pastor.  The  snare  was  broften — the  tempter 
had  to  fly.  Hope  sprung  up  in  the  heart  of  the  sufferer. 
In  a  moment  his  flushed  countenance  and  brififht  eve  grave 
evidence  of  the  joy  of  his  soul.  Prayer,  with  much 
thanksgiving  and  praise,  was  offered  up  to  God.  And  the 
man,  clothed  in  his  right  mind,  was  restored  to  his  family, 
and  continued  long  a  happy  and  useful  member  of  the 
Church.  Wh«.  can  compute  the  worth  of  that  pastoral 
visit?  or  the  blessings  it  was  the  means  of  imparting? 

The  writer  once  visited  Mr.  Quinn  in  a  violent  attack 
of  sickness,  in  which  he  endured  much  pain.  He  had 
been  greatly  distressed — the  enemy  had  thrust  sorely  at 
him,  but  he  had  obtained  relief  before  my  arrival.  lie 
related  to  me  his  great  trial,  as  well  as  the  circumstances 


176  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

of  his  visit  to  his  friend  as  here  stated,  and  remarked  how 
encouraging  and  comforting  it  would  have  been  to  his 
depressed  and  troubled  soul,  if  some  one  had  come  in  at 
the  time  of  his  severe  temptation  and  addressed  him  in 
the  same  way. 

Mr.  Quinn's  manner  of  setting  forth  and  illustrating  the 
practical  truths  which  he  inculcated  in  his  discourses,  was 
always  interesting  and  striking,  and  well  calculated  to 
make  a  vivid  and  lasting  impression  on  the  mind  and 
heart.  The  following  are  furnished  as  specimens  of  his 
happy  method  in  this  respect:  "In  our  admonitions  and 
exhortations  to  delinquent  parents,  we  are  often  met  with 
the  opposing  declaration,  'I  can  not  give  my  children 
religion!'  To  such  we  say,  you  can  do  more  in  this  mat- 
ter than  you  are  aware  of — perhaps  more  than  you  are 
willing  to  know.  You  can  do  as  much  toward  giving  your 
children  religion,  as  you  can  toward  raising  a  crop  of  corn. 
In  the  latter  case  you  can  clear  the  ground,  break  the 
soil,  plant  in  due  time,  improve  the  season  of  culture; 
then  look  and  pray  for  dew  and  the  gentle  rains  of  heaven. 
Now,  by  education,  an  education  favorable  to  moral  as 
well  as  intellectual  culture,  clear  and  prepare  the  soil. 
Plant  or  sow  the  seed  of  pure  evangelical  truth  in  their 
hearts;  then  cultivate  by  precept  and  example.  Teach 
them  by  theory,  and  show  them  by  practice,  how  to  be 
religious;  all  the  while  offering  up  to  God  for  them  in 
their  hearing,  and  out  of  their  sight,  the  earnest,  con- 
tinued, and  fervent  prayer  of  faith,  and  leave  the  rest 
with  God."  What  careless  and  unfaithful  parent  could 
ward  off  the  force  of  this?  And  may  we  not  suppose 
that  many,  through  the  influence  of  the  powerful  appeals 
of  this  minister  of  God,  were  excited  to  great  diligence 
and  carefulness  in  rearing  their  children  for  God  and 
heaven?  And  who  can  tell  but  the  developments  of  the 
day  of  judgment  will  attribute  to  his  appeals  and  instruc- 


LIFE   AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  Ql  INN.  177 

tions  to  parents,  under  God,  directly  or  indirectly,  the 
salvation  of  many  entire  households?  The  other  speci- 
men which  we  give  was  intended  to  encourage  the  timid 
and  the  fearful,  who  tremble  at  the  near  approach  of 
death.  Speaking  of  the  death  of  the  saints,  he  said: 
"Thete  was  a  natural  fear  of  death  to  the  Christian. 
Suppose  a  father  to  have  been  necessarily  detained  long 
from  home,  and,  on  his  arrival  in  sight  of  his  residence, 
In-  should  see  the  stream  which  rolls  between  swelled  to  a 
mighty  flood.  Now,  the  husband  and  father  might  fear 
t«>  enter  the  muddy  and  cold  waters  of  the  stream,  but  lie 
would  have  no  fears  of  entering  the  bosom  of  his  family 
and  of  being  at  home.  So  of  the  Christian  when  he  comes 
to  the  Jordan  of  death.  Looking  upon  its  dark,  cold 
waters,  he  may  fear  to  enter.  Death's  struggles,  the 
agonies  of  dissolving  nature  separating  soul  and  body, 
may  frighten  him  for  a  moment,  but  recollecting  the 
promise  of  his  Lord,  'Fear  thou  not,  for  I  am  with  thee: 
be  not  dismayed,  for  I  am  thy  God,'  he  dashes  in  with 
strong  confidence,  knowing  the  passage  is  short  and  he  is 
going  home.  He  has  no  fears  then — no  fears  of  bein^  at 
home  with  his  Father  and  with  his  friends,  who  wait  to 
welcome  him  to  his  incorruptible  inheritance  in  heaven." 
I  <an  not  use  his  words  verbatim,  but  have  given  the  sub- 
stance of  this  illustration.  I  find  it  has  suffered  in  my 
hands:  and  in  the  cold  type  in  which  it  is  presented  to 
the  reader,  it  has  lost  much  of  its  fire  and  power  of  elocu- 
tion; and  no  one  will  be  able  to  appreciate  it  correctly, 
unless  he  has  heard  it  from  his  living  lips. 

I  suppose  it  was  some  time  during  his  labors  on  this 
district,  and  at  one  of  his  meetings  in  the  Scioto  Valley, 
the  following  affecting  occurrence  was  exhibited  in  the 
ion.  He  had  preached  for  some  time  with  great 
eloquence  and  power,  and  toward  the  (dose  of  his  Bermon 
he  remarked  that  some  men  of  influence  were  standing  in 


178  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

the  way  of  others,  and,  in  the  final  judgment,  might  be 
justly  chargeable  with  the  ruin  of  precious  souls  for  whom 
Christ  died.  Then  looking  over  the  multitude,  he  as- 
serted, with  great  energy  and  force,  as  though  he  had 
some  one  in  view,  "There  is  a  man  now  present  who  is 
thus  standing  in  the  way  of  his  neighbors;  and  if  he  would 
come  out  from  among  the  wicked,  and  unite  with  the 
Church,  many  of  his  acquaintances  would  follow  his  ex- 
ample." Just  at  that  moment  a  man  of  influence  rushed 
forward  from  the  midst  of  the  crowded  audience,  and  nine- 
teen more  immediately  followed  him;  so  that,  in  the  space 
of  a  few  minutes,  twenty  men  were  added  to  the  Church. 
How  impossible  for  finite  man  fully  to  estimate  what  may 
be  the  success  of  that  one  effort!  It  may  indirectly  exert 
an  influence  through  all  time,  and  exhibit  increased  fruit 
in  every  generation,  and  then  show  a  glorious  result  in 
eternity. 

There  is  another  specimen  of  his  elocution  and  power 
as  a  minister,  in  the  memory  of  many  who  yet  live,  which, 
if  I  could  justly  describe  it,  would  be  of  thrilling  interest 
to  the  reader.  It  was  exhibited  at  a  camp  meeting  near 
Moore's  meeting-house,  on  Eagle  creek,  about  the  year 
1814,  in  the  presence  of  a  congregation — as  was  sup- 
posed— of  five  thousand.  He  was  then  in  the  meridian  of 
life,  and,  perhaps,  in  his  greatest  strength  of  mind,  body, 
and  voice;  and  this  must  have  been  one  of  his  most  suc- 
cessful efforts.  His  text  was,  Psalms  1,  3-5:  "Our  God 
shall  come,  and  shall  not  keep  silence;  a  fire  shall  devour 
before  him,  and  it  shall  be  very  tempestuous  round  about 
him.  He  shall  call  to  the  heavens  from  above  and  to  the 
earth,  that  he  may  judge  his  people,  Gather  my  saints  to- 
gether unto  me;  those  that  have  made  a  covenant  with  me 
by  sacrifice."  The  sacrificial  offering  of  Jesus  Christ, 
once  for  all,  was  his  favorite  theme.  The  atonement  was 
set  forth,  with  peculiar  perspicuity,  as  the  medium  through 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  Ql  [NN.  179 

which  rebel  man  is  permitted  to  approach  his  God,  and 
enter  into  covenant  with  his  rightful  sovereign,  against 
whom  he  had  deeply  revolted.     He  referred,  in  a  most 

vivid  manner,  to  the  prescribed  formula  by  which  God's 
ancient  people  entered  into  covenant  with  him — "by  sacri- 
fice"— how  that,  after  they  had  "offered  burnt-offerings, 
and  sacrificed  peace-offerings  of  oxen  unto  the  Lord,  Mo- 
ses  took  half  of  the  blood  and  put  it  in  basins;  and  half 
of  the  blood  he  sprinkled  on  the  altar.  And  he  took  the 
book  of  the  covenant,  and  read  in  the  audience  of  the  peo- 
ple: and  they  said,  All  that  the  Lord  hath  said  will  Ave  do, 
and  be  obedient.  And  Moses  took  the  blood  and  sprinkled 
it  on  the  people,  and  said,  Behold  the  blood  of  the  cove- 
nant which  the  Lord  hath  made  with  you,  concerning  all 
these  words."  The  preacher  represented  that  the  covenant 
could  not  be  ratified  without  sacrifice — the  shedding  and 
sprinkling  of  blood — "and  without  shedding  of  blood  is  no 
remission."  LTnder  the  new  dispensation  of  mercy  and 
grace  presented  in  the  Gospel,  a  change  is  made  in  the 
nature  of  the  sacrifices  to  be  offered,  when  Ave  enter  into 
covenant  with  God.  We  are  iioav  required  to  present  our 
bodies,  souls,  and  spirits,  "as  a  living  sacrifice,  holy,  ac- 
ceptable unto  God,  which  is  our  reasonable  service." 
"The  sacrifices  of  God  are  a  broken  spirit;  a  broken  and 
a  contrite  heart,  0,  God,  thou  wilt  not  despise."  All 
these  sacrifices  are  to  be  offered  through  the  merits  of. 
Christ,  our  great  mediator;  and  our  persons  and  our  serv- 
ices are  rendered  acceptable  by  faith  in  his  blood.  "For 
if  the  blood  of  bulls  and  of  goats,  and  the  ashes  of  a 
heifer  sprinkling  the  unclean,  sanctifieth  to  the  purifying 
of  the  flesh,  hoAv  much  more  shall  the  blood  of  Christ, 
who,  through  the  eternal  Spirit,  offered  himself  without 
spot  to  God,  purge  your  conscience  from  dead  works  to 
sorvc  the  living  God!"  Then  "we  are  sanctilied  through 
the  offering  of  the  body  of  Jesus  Christ,  once  for  all,"  and 


1  80  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

have  "boldness  to  enter  into  the  holiest  by  the  blood  of 
Jesus,  by  a  new  and  living  way  which  he  hath  consecrated 
for  us."     The  covenant  which  God  now  makes  witl 
people  is,  "I  will  put  my  laws  into  their  hearts,  and  in 
minds  will  I  write  them;  and  their  sins  and  iniquiiic. 
remember  no  more."     And  their  obligation  is,  to  glorify 
him  in  their  bodies  and  in  their  spirits,  which  are  God's. 

He  next  described  the  saints  of  God,  who  had  thus 
made  covenant  with  him  by  sacrifice,  giving  their  full  por- 
trait from  the  Bible  in  the  most  lucid  manner  as  the  holy 

ONES. 

Next  he  set  forth  the  gathering  of  the  saints  together 
to  the  mighty  God,  the  great  judge  at  the  last  day.  He 
described  the  coming  of  the  judge  as  his  text  represented: 
"a  fire  shall  devour  before  him,  and  it  shall  be  very  tem- 
pestuous round  about  him."  This  was  exj)lained  as  em- 
bracing all  the  grandeur  and  terrors  of  the  general  judg- 
ment, ushered  in  by  the  voice  of  the  archangel  and  the 
trump  of  God — "when  the  heavens  shall  pass  away  with 
a  o-reat  noise,  and  the  elements  shall  melt  with  fervent 
heat.  The  earth,  also,  and  the  works  that  are  therein  shall 
be  burned  up."  This  terrible  conflagration,  with  all  its 
accompanying  scenery,  was  presented  in  the  most  lumin- 
ous manner  to  the  minds  of  the  vast  multitude  present. 
The  effect  was  so  great  that  it  is  said  very  few  could  retain 
their  seats;  nearly  all  arose  to  their  feet,  absorbed  in  con- 
templating the  scene  as  described  by  the  orator — they  ap- 
peared to  forget  every  thing  else.  In  imagination  they 
saw  the  Lord  Jesus  descending  from  heaven,  accompanied 
with  an  innumerable  host  of  angels,  and  the  souls  of  the 
pious  dead  of  every  age  and  nation. 

He  then  presented  to  the  minds  of  his  auditors  the 
gathering  together  of  the  bodies  of  all  the  saints,  from 
every  part  of  the  earth's  surface,  and  from  the  seas, 
rivers,  and  lakes.     They  had  just  heard  of  the  death  of 


LIFE   AMi   LABORS  OF  JAMJEfi   Ql  INN.  181 

Dr.  Coke,  and  his  burial  in  the  ocean.  He  had  long 
labored  to  establish  a  mission  on  the  island  of  Ceylon,  in 
the  east;  and  when  he  died  he  was  on  his  way,  with  sev- 
eral other  missionaries,  to  make  a  united,  continued, 
powerful  effort  for  the  salvation  of  the  heathen. 
Doctor  and  his  coadjutors,  and  the  anticipated  multitude 
of  India  converts,  in  the  representation  of  the  speaker, 
made  to  form  a  conspicuous  part  in  the  grand  pro- 
q  of  the  gathering  together  of  all  the  saints  of  (iod. 
The  holy  minister,  himself  overwhelmed  with  his  subject, 
manifestly  endued  with  power  from  on  high,  and  a 
sacred  unction  and  Divine  influence  seemed  to  accompany 
every  sentence.  The  enchained  multitude  stood  aghast, 
as  in  solemn  awe,  till  finally  the  comparative  awful  silence 
was  broken  by  a  sudden  outburst  of  the  groans,  shrieks, 
and  cries  of  sinners,  and  acclamations  of  joy  and  shouts  of 
Christians,  from  all  parts  of  the  densely-crowded  congre- 
gation. 

Many  are  still  alive  who  have  a  distinct  recollection  of 
the  appearance  and  eloquence  of  the  speaker,  as  well  as 
the  wonderful  manifestation  of  the  Divine  presence  and 
power  which  pervaded  the  assembly  on  that  occasion,  and 
can  corroborate  the  truth  of  this  statement.  One  wit- 
— Rev.  John  11.  Turner — assures  the  writer  that  it 
would  be  impossible  to  convey,  in  words,  an  adequate  idea 
of  the  overwhelming  effects  of  the  discourse,  and  the  moral 
grandeur  of  the  scene  that  was  there  realized. 

16 


182  SKETCHES  OF  THE 


CHAPTER    XI. 

His  district  enlarged — Death  of  his  daughter — Encouraging- 
dream — Closes  his  labors  on  the  district — Keeps  a  journal  for  three 
weeks — Starts  to  conference — Lodges  at  "Washington — Recollec- 
tions of  the  past — Chenoweth  family — Columbus,  what  it  is  and 
what  it  was — Rev.  W.  Hogue — Franklinton — Mr.  Grubb — General 
Harrison — Fallen  Ministers — Worthington  — Female  academy — 
Bigelow  and  Strange — How  Methodist  ministers  learn  to  preach — 
Delaware — Wonderful  change — Good  society — Sulphur  spring — 
Galena — The  Carpenter  family — Granville  —  Xewark — Old  cir- 
cuit— Muskingum  district — Reaches  Zanesville — Conference  be- 
gins— Examination  of  character  with  open  doors — Conference 
closes — Leaves  for  his  work — Dines  at  Summerset — Methodism 
strong  here — Politics  runs  high — No  danger  to  the  republic  while 
Churches  are  divided  in  sentiment — Reaches  Rushville — Large 
society— Lancaster — Tarleton — Kingston — J.  Crouse — Chilicothe — 
Returned  to  Wilmington  circuit — Revival — Happy  year — V.  Cook — 
Invites  mourners — Glorious  watch-night — Appointed  agent  of  the 
Preachers'  Relief  Society — Objects — Address. 

At  the  session  of  the  conference  in  September,  1838, 
Mr.  Quinn's  district  was  enlarged,  West  Union  and 
Georgetown  circuits  being  added.  His  strength  continued 
about  equal  to  his  work,  and  lie  served  this  year,  as  well 
as  the  two  former,  with  acceptance  and  some  success. 

On  the  15th  of  January,  1839,  he  was  called  to  mourn 
the  death  of  a  beloved  daughter,  the  wife  of  Rev.  J.  "W. 
Fowble.  She  was  a  most  amiable  lady,  of  deep  and  uni- 
form piety,  and  she  passed  over  the  Jordan  of  death  in 
holy  triumph,  shouting  the  praise  of  God;  so  that  her 
bereaved  friends  had  every  assurance  that  she  realized  an 
abundant  entrance  into  the  kingdom  of  glory  above.  Soon 
after  her  departure  Mr.  Quinn  had  the  following  remarka- 
ble and  encouraging  dream.  He  supposed  he  died  and 
passed  to  the  heavenly  world;  and  at  the  place  of  entrance 
six  beautiful  young  females  met  him,  all  dressed  in  snow- 
white  robes,  and  one  of  them  was  his  deceased  daughter. 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  183 

They  all  came  forward  and  rejoiced  a1  his  arrival,  and 
then  placed  golden  stars,  of  indescribable  luster,  upon 
him,  which  adhered  to,  and  remained  on  his  raiment, 
forming  the  mosl  brilliant  and  magnificent  ornaments  he 
ever  beheld.  While  admiring  the  manner  in  which  he  had 
been  decorated  by  the  young  women,  there  came,  from  a 
point  above  him,  a  shower  of  the  same  kind  of  stars,  as 
though  they  had  been  poured  out  of  a  large  scoop,  and 
covered  him  all  over,  making-  him  resplendent  from  head 
ilden  stars.  Such  was  the  sudden  transport 
of  joy  and  inexpressible  ecstasy  he  realized  under  the 
supposed  shower  of  stars,  that  he  commenced  shouting 
the  praise  of  God  aloud  in  his  sleep.  This  alarmed  his 
wife,  who  called  him  so  loudly  that  he  awoke,  and  his 
rapturous  vision  ended.  He  then  told  his  wife  his  dream, 
regretting  that  his  mind  had  been  so  soon  called  back  to 
earth,  lie  however  continued  happy  for  some  time,  hav- 
ing a  well-grounded  hope  of  possessing  many  stars  of 
rejoicing  when  really  called  to  his  reward  in  heaven. 

Whatever  opinions  may  be  entertained  of  dreams  in 
general  or  of  this  in  particular,  it  is  supposed  all  will  agree 
that  this  was  a  very  pleasant  one;  and  while  it  may  be 
interesting  to  some,  it  will  injure  no  one  to  read  it. 

Mr.  Quinn  having  closed  his  labors  on  the  Chilicothe 
district,  attended  the  conference  held  in  Cincinnati,  Sep- 
tember 25,  1839,  and  was  appointed  in  charge  of  Wil- 
mington circuit,  having  J.  W.  Steel  associated  with  him. 
His  health  continued  nearly  as  good  as  usual;  and,  al- 
though his  bodily  strength  had  someAvhai  abated,  he  was 

O  JO 

able  to  attend  his  appointments,  and  perform  the  other 
labors  of  his  charge  with,  acceptance,  through  the  confer- 
ence year.  I  believe  it  was  on  this  circuit  that  Mr.  Quinn 
1  the  eccentric  and  jesting  Mr.  P..  whose  wife  was 
an  excellent  member.  When  reminded  that  he  once  said 
"  that  when  the  preachers  came  to  his  house  the  chickens 


184  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

took  fright  and  ran  into  the  weeds  and  hid  themselves," 
Mr.  P.  replied,  "That  might  have  been  the  case  at  one 
time,  but  in  these  days  the  most  of  the  preachers  appear 
so  much  like  lawyers  that  the  chickens  don't  know  them." 
When  Mr.  Q.  related  this  anecdote  to  the  writer,  he  added, 
"I  concluded  I  would  let  that  man  alone." 

At  the  close  of  this  conference  year  Mr.  Quinn  kept  a 
journal  of  about  three  weeks,  including  the  session  of  the 
Ohio  conference  at  Zanesville,  September  30,  1840.  As 
this  journal  embraces  many  useful  reflections  and  remi- 
niscences of  by-gone  days,  it  is  nearly  all  furnished  to  the 
readers  of  his  "Life  :" 

"Having  wound  up  the  labors  of  another  conference 
year,  I  had  two  days  with  my  family  to  make  arrangements 
to  start  for  my  forty-first  conference;  and  as  the  young 
men  had  all  taken  the  start  of  me  by  different  routes,  I  had 
to  wend  my  way  alone,  in  old  style,  on  horseback.  The 
first  day  I  made  thirty  miles,  which  brought  me  to  Wash- 
ington, Fayette  county.  Here  I  had  been  almost  thirty 
years  ago,  when  Methodism  had  little  more  than  an  em- 
bryo existence.  Since  that  time  there  has  been  reforma- 
tion and  revival  energy,  and  many  souls  have  been  born  of 
God;  and  at  one  time  there  was  a  large  and  prosperous 
society  here,  and  a  good  brick  meeting-house  was  erected, 
which  has  not  yet  been  finished,  as  there  has  been  a  de- 
clension: some  have  died,  some  removed,  some  backslid- 
den— but  yet  there  are  a  few  names  here  who  have 
watched  and  kept  their  garments  unspotted.  0,  may  they 
walk  with  Christ  in  white!  They  want  something  more 
than  good  preaching  to  raise  them  up — warm-hearted, 
faithful  pastoral  work,  with  the  blessing  of  God,  will  do 
the  deed. 

"After  a  comfortable  night's  rest  at  the  house  of  my 
kind  brother  Hazier,  on  the  second  day  I  set  out  for  Co- 
lumbus, forty  miles  distant.     This  day  led  me  through  a 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  Ql  INN.  185 

tract  of  country,  which  began  to  b2  occupied  by  Methodist 
traveling  preachers  some  thirty  years  ago.  As  I  went 
musing  along,  my  recollections  called  up  many  scenes  and 
circumstances  of  an  interesting  character,  connected  with 
camp  and  quarterly  meeting  occasions,  during  the  years 
of  1813,  '14,  '15,  and  '16,  when  the  Church  was  truly  in 
the  wilderness.  But  then  then-  was  a  Church  here  truly 
evangelical  in  its  character,  and  Christ  was  in  it,  and  his 
goings  t'.Tth  were  seen  and  felt,  in  the  conviction,  conver- 
sion, sanctitication,  and  salvation  of  many,  very  many, 
precious  souls. 

"I  passed  through  a  pleasant  village — Princeton;  saw 
two  snug-looking  brick  meeting-houses,  one  of  which  be- 
longs to  the  Methodists.  It  is  said  they  have  a  good 
society  here,  and  a  house  for  their  preacher.  This  is  as 
it  should  be.  This  was  a  wilderness  thirty  years  ago. 
At  12  o'clock  stopped  in  another  village,  near  the  crossing 
of  Darby;  dined  and  fed;  was  shown  from  the  tavern 
door  a  splendid  brick  mansion,  said  to  be  owned  and  occu- 
pied by  a  son  of  my  old  and  highly-esteemed  friend,  Elijah 
Chenoweth.  This  man  and  his  brother  Thomas  were  the 
first  Methodists  who  settled  in  the  Darby  Valley;  and 
they,  with  their  wives — who  were  sisters,  and  daughters 
of  Rev.  John  Foster,  whom  I  have  called  a  patriarch  of 
Scioto  Valley — with  a  few  others,  composed  the  first  society 
in  that  section  of  the  country.  This  society  at  first  was  a 
part  of  Scioto  circuit;  but  when  Paint  circuit  was  formed 
it  fell  into  that  division  of  the  work,  and  became  a  kind 
of  headquarters,  and  a  place  for  holding  quarterly  and 
camp  meetings.  Here  I  have  witnessed  many  refreshing 
seasons,  while  the  wilderness  and  solitary  places  were 
made  glad,  and  blossomed  as  the  rose.  Many  of  the 
blossoms  that  then  put  forth  have  been  matured  into  fruit, 
which  has  shaken  as  Lebanon,  ripened,  and  been  gathered. 
The  old  Chenoweths  have  fallen   asleep.      Peace  to  their 


186  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

memory!  Often  has  my  spirit  been  refreshed  in  their 
society,  and  my  weary  and  hungry  body  rested  and  fed 
by  their  hospitality.  If  our  dear  friends  still  live  in  our 
recollections,  may  we  not  still  live  in  theirs?  If  so,  shall 
not  those  tender  ties  and  sympathies  be  renewed  and  per- 
petuated, world  without  end?  An  old  man,  on  finding 
himself  overlooked  or  neglected,  eagerly  runs  back  to  the 
days  of  other  years,  seeking  society  among  the  compan- 
ions of  his  youth.  But,  alas!  where  are  they?  They 
have  almost  all  disappeared.  Here  and  there  one;  but 
how  faded  is  the  form,  while  the  vivacity  and  sprightliness 
of  spirit,  which  made  society  pleasant  and  profitable,  has 
in  a  great  measure  departed  from  them.  Well,  then,  if 
he  would  not  be  entirely  solitary  in  his  thoughts,  he  must 
dwell  aloof  from  earth,  and,  by  faith,  hold  converse  with 
the  intellectual  world  of  light,  and  love,  and  immortality, 
where  perfect  love  and  the  sacred  sweets  of  endearing 
friendship  shall  reign  forever  and  ever.  The  day  began 
to  wear  away,  which  had  been  one  of  the  most  pleasant  I 
ever  experienced.  All  above,  beneath,  around,  within, 
without,  was  calm.  No  anxious  casting  up  of  what  might 
be  at  conference  disquieted  my  mind.  But  lo!  from  a 
rising  ground,  at  the  distance  of  say  two  miles,  I  beheld 
the  towering  spires  on  the  state-house,  court-house,  and 
churches  in  the  delightful  city,  yes,  city,  of  Columbus. 

"Now,  if  I  possessed  the  descriptive  powers  of  brother 
H.,  a  piece  might  be  forthcoming  that  would  do  for  the 
Ladies'  Repository  and  Gatherings  of  the  West.  But  1 
was  here  in  the  days  of  log-cabins;  and  how  was  it  then? 
Why,  the  site  for  the  seat  of  government  had  been  selected 
and  operations  commenced;  the  timber  on  the  public 
square  had  been  felled,  and  the  brush  burned  off;  but 
great  buckeye,  beech,  sugar,  and  walnut  stumps  and  logs 
were  there.  The  state-house  was  under  contract  and 
going  up,  and  the  builders  and  a  few  others  had  got  up, 


LIFE   AND  LABORS  OF  JAMBS   Ql   I  NX.  187 

and  Aver--  gel  ing  up,  a  few  small  buildings,  chiefly  cabins. 
Rev.  W.  Hogue,  a  Presbyterian  minister,  who  still  lives, 
had  a  Church  in  Franklinton,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
Scioto,  and  the  Methodists  had  a  small  society  in  the  same 
place,  who  mel  al  the  house  of  our  worthy  brother  (rrubb, 
whose  religion  was  not  in  word  or  tongue  only,  but  in 
deed  and  in  truth;  and  if  I  was  sure  thai  he  w, 
heaven,  1  would  say  two  or  three  things  more  about  him 
and  his  excellent  wife,  but  think  he  yel  lives;  however.  L 
will  say,  that  on  my  quarterly  tours  for  four  years  I 
always  met  a  smiling  welcome  and  a  comfortable  hon 
brother  Grubb's.  But  the  time  was  come  that  the  hand- 
ful of  corn  was  to  be  planted  in  the  place  selected  as  the 
permanent  seat  of  government  for  the  state  of  Ohio,  now 
the  third  in  the  Union  as  to  population  and  wealth.  Here 
came  old  brother  George  M'Cormick,  his  excellent  wife 
and  her  mother,  Armstrong,  brother  and  sister  Harvey, 
and  two  or  three  more.  These  constituted  the  first  Meth- 
odist society  in  Columbus,  but  in  what  year,  or  by  what 
preacher,  I  can  not  be  positive.  I  found  them  in  my 
charge  in  1813,  and,  for  the  most  part,  made  them  a 
quarterly  visit  for  four  years,  for  the  preachers  in  those 
days  kepi  the  presiding  elders  pretty  busy,  having  ap- 
pointments out  for  them  almost  every  day  or  night,  or 
both,  through  the  week,  between  quarterly  meetings. 
Then  the  people  knew  who  and  what  their  presiding  elders 
were;  indeed  they  could  not  run  home  between  quarterly 
meetings,  for  their  log-cabin  homes  were  generally  from 
fifty  to  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  distant,  and  they 
thoughl  themselves  pretty  well  off  if  they  could  gel  home 
for  three  or  four  days  in  a  month,  six  weeks,  or  two 
month-.  In  this  section  of  the  work  those  days  of  toil 
and  privation  have  passed  away;  and  our  feelings  are 
sometimes  deeply  affected  when  we  have  heard  dear  young 
men  say,  rather  in  a  suppressed  tone.  •/  think  my  health 


188  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

is  too  delicate  to  endure  the  fatigues  of  a  circuit.''  Well,  dear 
fellows,  may  the  bishop  and  all  the  people  be  good  to  you, 
and  give  you  a  good  place!  An  easy  place  you  can  not 
have  in  the  ranks  of  Methodism,  if  you  faithfully  dis- 
charge the  duties  of  a  Methodist  minister,  as  enjoined  in 
the  Discipline. 

"  Here  I  was  most  hospitably  entertained  for  the  night  by 
brother  R.,  a  grandson  of  an  old  acquaintance  and 
friend,  E.  Harr,  a  local  preacher,  and  one  of  the  first 
Methodists  that  settled  in  Chilicothe.  0,  how  I  rejoice  in 
spirit,  to  find  the  children  and  grandchildren  of  my  old 
friends  walking  in  the  truth!     Great  solicitude  here  about 

who  shall  be  the  next  preacher.     '  Hope  Mr. will  be 

sent.'  '0,  well,  now,  he  is  a  very  popular  preacher;  but 
then  he's  about  done.  He  seldom  attends  prayer  or  class 
meetings,  scarcely  ever  visits,  unless  by  special  request.' 
'Ah!  well,  this  is  a  place  of  great  resort,  and  we  must 
have  a  man  of  splendid  pulpit  talents.'  Well,  after  all 
the  talk  about  eloquent  preaching  and  fine  address,  let  me 
have  a  good,  warm-hearted,  plain,  zealous  man  of  God, 
who,  using  great  plainness  of  speech,  seeks  to  commend 
himself  to  every  man's  judgment  and  conscience  in  the 
sight  of  God;  and  then  to  exhort,  invite,  and  pray  with 
mourners,  meet  classes,  and  visit  from  house  to  house,  as 
the  Discipline  directs,  etc.  Great  Head  of  the  Church, 
take  care  of  thy  cause  and  people  in  Columbus! 

"On  the  third  morning  started  early  for  Delaware,  near 
thirty  miles  distant;  found  I  was  to  pass  through  Worth- 
ington.  General  Harrison  left  this  place  yesterday,  and 
Tyler  is  to  be  here  to-day.  0,  what  agitation!  Great 
Ruler  of  the  universe,  preserve  this  republic!  I  love  my 
country,  and  have  my  political  creed;  judge  of  men  and 
measures,  but  attend  no  conventions;  be  that  for  others. 
When  Harrison  was  guarding  the  frontiers  and  treating 
with  the  Indians,  I  was  preaching  salvation  to  the  dwellers 


LIFE   LVD  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUITO*.  189 

in  log-cabins  along  the  Muskingum  and  Hockhocking  Val- 
leys, more  than  forty  years  ago;  and  I  have  doI  had  I 
to  newspapers  or  stump  orators  to  learn  his  character 
man.  or  a  general,  or  statesman;  bul  he  is  two  years  older 

than  I.  and  y«t  In-  may  be  lit  to  he  President  of  this  ■ 
nation.  It  is,  perhaps,  a  mark  of  wisdom  in  this  republic 
to  make  choice  of  aged  men  to  fill  the  office  of  Chief 
Magistrate,  if  they  shall  possess  wisdom  and  integrity 
sufficient  to  make  a  proper  selection  of  counselors  and 
ministers.  But  of  this  no  more.  I  continued  my  musing 
as  1  rode  leisurely  along  on  the  mud  pike. 

"A  violent  shock  was  heard  and  felt  in  this  vicinity  a 
few  years  ago.  It  was  not  an  earthquake,  or  the  bursting 
forth  of  a  volcano,  but  the  fall  of  men  from  ministerial 
elevation.  Great  is  such  a  fall.  Then  it  is  thai  the  daugh- 
ters of  the  uncircumcised  rejoice,  and  the  Church  puts  on 
sackcloth.  A  fallen  minister!  Of  unhappy  men  the  most 
unhappy: 

•  All,  whither  should  lie  flee, 
Or  where  produce,  in  open  day, 
And  to  the  golden  sun,  his  hapless  head, 
Whence  every  laurel  shorn? 
On  his  bald  l>r<>->v  -1;-  grinning  infamy, 
And  all  in  sportive  fury 
Twines  around  the  keen,  the  stinging  adder  of  disgrace.' 

"In  forty  years  I  have  known  four  fallen  ministers  com- 
mit suicide.  It  is  true,  some  thought  them  in  a  state  of 
derangement:  but,  if  nothing  had  been  wrong,  would  not 
Lord  have  preserved  them,  and  given  them  a  more 
honorable  death?  Bishop  Asbury  once  said,  when  con- 
versing on  one  of  these  melancholy  cases,  'There 
thing  in  the  disgrace  connected  with  the  fall  of  a  minister 
calculated  to  drive  the  unhappy  man  into  despair,  then  to 
distraction,  then  to  suicide.'  But,  0,  why  should 
not  rather  follow  the  example  o(  the  disciple  who  denied 
his  Lord  with  oaths  and  cursing,  than  of  him  who  b 


190  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

betrayed  his  Master;  for,  although  they  'never  may  rise 
to  their  first  paradise' — in  a  ministerial  point  of  view — 
yet,  'if  the  God  that  reads  the  heart  looks  with  compas- 
sion down,  and  sees  repentance  bursting  from  the  earth- 
bent  eye,  and  faith's  red  cross  held  closely  to  the  breast, 
then  may  they  not  hope  that,  at  last,  he  will  stoop,  and 
his  pity  will  bring  him  to  them?'  Great  Head  of  the 
Church,  preserve  thy  poor  servants  from  falling  into  -the 
snare  and  condemnation  of  the  devil;  for,  verily,  those 
'men perish  not  alone  in  their  iniquity/' 

"Well,  here  is  Worthington,  a  most  delightful  village, 
improved  in  neat,  New  England  style,  and  a  flourishing 
female  academy  here,  under  the  patronage  of  the  Ohio 
annual  conference,  and  in  successful  operation,  the  annual 
examination  going  on;  should  have  been  glad  of  the  priv- 
ilege of  attending,  but  I  was  a  passing  stranger.  Not  so 
once;  for  here  was  I,  and  well  known,  more  than  the 
fourth  of  a  century  ago.  It  was  here  I  found  dear  Bige- 
low  in  the  cabin  of  his  excellent  father.  He  was  small  in 
stature,  and  of  very  youthful  appearance;  but  I  soon  found 
he  had  a  giant  mind,  with  a  moderate  English  education, 
and  his  lanj-e  soul  alive  to  God,  and  burning1  with  zeal  for 
the  glory  of  God  and  the  salvation  of  souls.  I  said,  and 
others  said,  this  is  the  sort  of  young  men  we  want:  let  us 
have  him.  His  father  consented,  he  consented,  the  quar- 
terly conference  recommended,  and  we  took  his  name,  with 
three  others — Sadosa  Bacon,  Curtis  Goddard,  and  Samuel 
Lane — to  the  annual  conference.  They  were  all  received. 
They  were  all  from  the  same  section  of  country,  and,  I 
think,  all  recommended  by  the  same  quarterly  conference. 
Three  of  these  young  men  have  finished  their  work  and 
rest  from  their  labor,  and  brother  Goddard  has  retired  from 
the  itinerant  field  by  location.  We  used  to  think  when 
we  got  such  young  men  we  had  gotten  a  prize,  and,  learned 
or  unlearned,  we  were  not  ashamed  of  them,  for  the  Lord 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMBS  QITNN.  191 

called  them  and  made  then  ministers,  and,  as  polished 
shafts,  hid  them  in  his  quiver.  It  has  been  said  by  some 
one,  that  the  Romans  learned  to  be  soldiers  by  fighting. 
And  where  did  Washington  and  his  brave  fellows  Irani 
the  dreadful  trade  of  war?  Where,  but  on  the  toilsome 
march,  the  tented  field,  or  batljje-ground?  And  yet  w<  re 
there  ever  better  soldiers?  soldiers  who  better  deserved  the 
title — who  deserved  more  of  their  country  or  posterity? 
And  where  and  how  did  the  Methodist  preachers  learn  to 
preach?  By  preaching.  The  answers  to  these  interroga- 
tories should  be  (dearly  giv<  n  by  the  historian.  And  then 
it  may  be  asked,  where  or  when  has  there  been  a  better  or 
more  successful  set  of  truly-evangelical  preachers?  They 
believed  they  were  called  to  the  work — they  felt  its  import- 
ance— they  devoted  themselves  to  God  and  the  improve- 
ment of  their  minds,  that  they  might  be  qualified  for  the 
great  work,  to  which  they  honestly  believed  the  great  Head 
of  the  Church  had  called  them  in  their  ministry.  They 
were  never  to  be  either  unemployed  or  triflingly  employed. 
It  was  enjoined  on  them  to  contract  a  taste  for  reading, 
and  read,  mark,  learn,  and  inwrardly  digest  what  they 
read,  or  else  go  back  to  their  former  avocations.  They 
were  enjoined  to  '  choose  the  plainest  text — not  to  ramble, 
but  keep  to  the  subject,  and  make  out  what  they  took  in 
hand.'  They  were  to  convince — to  offer  Christ — to  build 
lip  God's  people.  They  were  to  preach  Christ  in  his 
offices,  his  Gospel,  his  law,  both  to  believers  and  unbe- 
lievers. And  they  were  left  free — as  pious  men  of  com- 
mon sense,  devoted  to  the  acquisition  of  useful  knowledge 
should  be — Avith  regard  to  books  and  the  course  of  study, 
except  that  they  were  to  read  the  Bible,  yea,  the  whole 
Bible,  with  the  works  of  Wesley,  Fletcher,  Baxter,  etc.; 
and  I  do  know  that  many,  yea,  most  of  them,  made  good 
proficiency,  and  became  good  ministers  of  Jesus  Christ. 
Of  about  thirty  young  men  whose  names — by  recommend- 


192  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

ation  from  quarterly  meeting  conferences  between  the 
years  1 809  and  181 6 — were  brought  to  the  annual  confer- 
ence bv  the  writer  of  this  humble  scrawl,  there  were  very 
few  who  did  not  sustain  this  character.  Of  those  who 
have  fallen  asleep,  I  may  say  their  living  epistles  are  yet 
read,  and  their  praise  is  yet  in  the  Churches.  But  Strange 
and  Bigelow  stand  forth  pre-eminent.  Ah!  lovely  men,  I 
sorrowed  when  I  heard  they  were  dead!  Well,  although 
my  heart  knows  its  own  bitterness,  yet  for  those  I  sorrow 
not  without  hope.  But  it  has  come  to  pass  in  the  nine- 
teenth century — which  some  think  is  in  the  evening  of 
time — that  the  human  mind  has  been  mightily  stirred; 
has  discovered  its  might}'  powers  of  ratiocination,  and  is 
at  last  about  to  break,  or  has  broken  off  its  shackles,  and 
rid  itself  from  the  dogmas  of  superstition,  prejudice,  and 
ignorance,  which  so  long  enchained  the  fathers.  And 
such  is  the  astonishing  march  of  mind,  that  the  Church  can 
do  no  longer  without  a  classically-educated  and  theologic- 
ally-trained clergy.  Well  now,  really  may  be  it  is  so,  but 
we  are  rather  slow  of  heart  to  believe.  However,  no 
doubt  it  appears  so  to  some;  for  their  eyes  being  more 
than  half  open,  they  now  begin  to  '  see  men  as  trees  walk- 
ing, and,  perhaps,  will  soon  see  trees  as  men  walking;7 
and  what  then?  Why,  I  don't  know;  but  I  once  knew  a 
college  graduate,  an  A.  B.,  thrown  quite  into  confusion, 
on  being  asked  by  the  examining  committee,  'What  was 
the  object  proposed  by  Fletcher  in  writing  the  Appeal? 
and  what  method  of  argument  did  the  author  pursue?' 
But  the  graduate  of  Brush  College  could  tell  you  very 
promptly  almost  every  thing  about  Fletcher  and  Wesley. 
The  Bible,  however,  was  their  stronghold.  They  were  at 
home  here,  and  you  seldom  heard  from  them  a  lame  or 
inappropriate  quotation.  Our  old  self-taught  ministers 
educate  their  sons  for  ministers,  and  lo!  they  come  out 
doctors   and  lawyers.      Other  men  educate  their  sons  for 


LIFE  AND   LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUIXN.  193 

lawyers,  doctors,  and  statesmen,  and  the  Lord  takes  them 
and  makes  preachers  of  them,  and  no  thanks  to  their 
fathers,  their  tutors,  or  themselves. 

"  But  still  the  inquiry  is  urged,  'Will  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  who,  in  her  official  organs,  has  become  the 
zealous  and  efficient  patroness  of  learning,  and  seminaries 
of  learning,  with  all  her  wealth  and  wisdom,  much  longer 
tolerate  or  sutler  an  uneducated  ministry?'  It  is  believed 
by  some  that  the  rule-making  power,  with  all  its  squinting 
that  way,  will  not  yet  for  many  years  assume  the  responsi- 
bility of  putting  a  negative  on  such  men  as  Wesley,  with 
all  his  learning,  admitted  as  helpers,  and  of  whom  he  said, 
'as  he  is  the  best  physician  who  makes  the  most  cures,  so 
he  is  the  best  preacher  who — instrumentally — saves  the 
most  souls.'  And  yet  he  was  no  quack,  or  friend  to 
quackery,  either  in  medicine  or  theology.  But  although 
the  rule-making  power  may  not  have  action  in  the  prem- 
ises for  years  to  come,  yet  a  course  may  be  pursued  in 
another  department,  which  may  or  will  deter  all  who  have 
not  a  classical  education  from  offering,  except  such  as  have 
such  clear  and  strong  conviction  of  duty  as  to  be  willing, 
for  the  Lord's  sake,  to  become  netlnnim.  Well,  these 
were  very  useful  as  an  appendage  to  the  Jewish  priest- 
hood, and  may,  yea,  no  doubt  will,  be  extensively  useful 
for  many  years  to  come,  connected  with  the  Christian 
ministry  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  But  let  not 
the  learned  historian  'blot  the  tomb,  or  insult  the  memory, 
of  those  whom  God  hath  honored  and  still  continues  to 
honor.' 

"But  I  am  drawing  near  to  Delaware;  and  what  a  de- 
lightful section  of  country  I  am  passing  through!  "What 
splendid  farms,  stately  mansions,  barns  full  to  overflowing, 
with  flocks  and  herds  in  every  direction!  Can  it  be?  I 
can  scarcely  believe  my  own  eyes.  Here  1  had  seen  the 
rugged  sires  of  the  present  incumbents  in  their  first  cabins, 

17 


194  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

with  their  linsey-woolsey  and  tow  linen  frocks,  felling  the 
lofty  beech,  sugar,  walnut,  and  buckeye;  or  with  their 
teams  dragging  the  brush,  piling  the  logs,  breaking  the 
soil,  while  they  ground  their  corn  on  the  hand-mill,  or 
pounded  it  in  the  mortar;  and  yet  had  time  to  go  to  preach- 
ing, even  on  a  week-day,  pray  in  their  families,  and  serve 
God.  But  here  is  Delaware,  and  it  is  near  sunset.  Here 
is  the  northern  boundary  of  my  old  Scioto  district,  as  it 
was  in  1816,  at  that  time  including  the  counties  of  Dela- 
ware, Franklin,  Madison,  Fayette,  Highland,  part  of 
Brown,  Adams,  Scioto,  Pike,  Jackson,  Ross,  Pickaway, 
and  the  principal  part  of  Fairfield.  The  year  1816  closed 
my  quadrennial  tour  in  this  field  of  toil  and  suffering,  and 
my  friends  thought,  and  I  thought,  that  I  was  about  run 
down;  so  the  conference  voted  me  a  supernumerary  rela- 
tion, and  Bishop  M'Kendree  did  not  attach  me  to  the  dis- 
trict, but  appointed  me  to  a  circuit,  and  in  charge.  '  This/ 
said  he,  smiling,  'is  rather  novel;  but  so  let  it  be;  you  will 
do  the  best  you  can.'  On  my  way  to  and  from  conference, 
I  had  sometimes  to  be  assisted  in  mounting  and  dismount- 
ing. Yet  my  health  improved.  I  reached  my  circuit  in 
good  time,  and  missed  but  three  appointments  that  year. 
0,  the  mercy  and  goodness  of  God!  The  town  of  Dela- 
ware is  now  quite  a  pleasant  place — a  good  society  and 
good  house  of  worship — just  erected  into  a  station  at  the 
late  North  Ohio  conference.  Expectation  quite  up,  I  had 
a  desire  to  preach  here,  but  there  was  no  opening.  This 
place  will  probably,  at  no  distant  day,  become  a  place  of 
much  resort,  for  the  benefit  of  this  fine  sulphur  spring, 
one  of  the  finest  I  have  ever  seen.  But  0,  mankind  are 
so  prone  to  abuse  blessings,  and  turn  them  into  curses. 

"Saturday  night  brought  me  to  Galena,  where  I  met  a 
most  hearty  welcome  at  the  house  of  my  old  friend,  Ben- 
jamin Carpenter,  Esq.,  son  of  my  still  more  highly-es- 
teemed friend,  Benjamin  Carpenter,  Esq.,  now  with  God; 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  195 

but  twenty-live  years  had  made  so  great  a  change  in  my 
appearance  that  they  knew  me  not;  but  the  tones  of  my 
voice  told  that  it  was  the  friend  of  their  father  who  spoke; 
when  instantly  I  found  myself  at  home,  ami  every  coun- 
tenance beaming  with  pleasure,  even  the  minors.  This 
proved  to  me  that  I  had  not  been  forgotten  in  this  family. 
'You  are  of  course  to  spend  the  Sabbath  with  us;  we  have 
no  appointment  out  for  preaching;  but  we  will  send  out 
runners,  and  vou  shall  have  a  good  congregation.'  And 
so  it  was;  for,  at  the  time  appointed,  on  going  to  the  place, 
I  first  beheld  a  good  brick  church;  on  entering  I  saw  a 
good  congregation,  to  whom  I  preached  with  great  liberty; 
then  met  the  large  class,  in  which  I  found  the  children, 
grandchildren,  and  great  grandchildren,  of  those  who  first 
received  the  Methodist  preachers  and  the  Gospel  into  their 
cabins  on  Big  B.  and  Alum  creeks,  branches  of  the  Scioto. 
I  was  especially  interested  in  finding  so  many  of  the  de- 
scendants of  Benjamin  Carpenter,  Esq.,  and  his  deeply- 
devoted  brother,  Rev.  Gilbert  Carpenter.  These  men  set- 
tled in  this  section  of  country  in  1807  or  '8;  were  among 
the  first  settlers  and  first  Methodists.  They  were  sensible, 
well-informed  men,  sentimentally  and  fervently  religious. 
They  raised  their  families  well,  and  made  comfortable  pro- 
vision for  them.  They  have  fallen  asleep  in  Christ;  but 
as,  at  the  time  of  their  demise,  we  had  no  periodical  in 
the  west,  so  no  memoir  or  biographical  notice  was  ever 
published.  I  sometimes  see  memoirs  and  biographical 
notices  that  I  could  not  be  prevailed  on  to  indorse:  some 
things  that  'would  offend  the  eye  in  the  good  picture  are 
discreetly  cast  into  the  shade,'  and  the  place  supplied  with 
something  that  did  not  belong  to  the  character.  Not  so 
did  the  sacred,  whole  truth-telling  biographers;  for  they 
told  about  the  drunkenness  of  Noah  and  Lot,  and  the  base 
conduct  of  Judah,  David,  and  others.  But  should  a  good 
writer  furnish  a  memoir  of  Benjamin   and   Gilbert  Car- 


196  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

penter — abating  for  human  infirmity — and  therein  set  forth 
the  spirit,  principle?,  and  practice  of  true  Christian  piety, 
as  exhibited  in  the  tempers,  conversation,  and  conduct  of 
the  two  brothers,  I  would  most  cheerfully  place  my  hand 
and  seal.  A  meeting  for  prayer  was  appointed  at  candle- 
light, but  there  being  a  good  congregation  convened,  it 
was  thought  that  the  old  man  might  as  well  give  them  a 
second  sermon.  Their  wish  was  complied  with,  and  we 
had  a  good,  feeling,  and  refreshing  season.  Great  Head 
of  the  Church,  bless  thy  people  in  Galena! 

"Monday,  September  26.  Set  out  early  for  Newark. 
No  company  yet;  for,  being  on  horseback,  I  could  not  en- 
joy the  society  of  those  who  traveled  in  carriages.  So  I 
went  along  leisurely,  musing  as  I  went,  and  wondering  at 
the  vast  improvements,  wherein  the  forests  have  become 
fruitful  fields,  etc.  Turned  in  for  dinner  at  the  house  of 
Rev.  Samuel  Carpenter,  nephew  of  Benjamin  and  Gilbert, 
and  son  of  Samuel;  him  I  had  known  in  his  youth,  but 
now  he  hath  gray  hairs.  He  looked  strongly  at  me.  I 
said,  'Do  you  know  me?'  'Yes,'  said  he,  'I  know  the 
voice;  it  is  old  brother  Quinn.'  I  confess  it  does  me  good 
to  be  called  brother  sometimes.  Here,  too,  I  found  myself 
at  home,  and  was  not  treated  with  the  common-place  civ- 
ility due  to  the  passing  stranger,  but  with  the  expression 
of  ardent  friendship.  We  conversed  and  ate — sung, 
prayed,  and  parted,  to  meet  on  earth  no  more.  Passed 
on  through  Granville;  and  thought  of  other  days,  when, 
perhaps,  old  brother  Gavit  was  the  only  Methodist  in  the 
place.  In  his  house  I  preached  before  any  Methodist 
society  was  organized  here.  It  now  gives  name  to,  and 
is  the  center  of  a  good  circuit.  I  had  not  time  to  call; 
and  I  confess  that  the  idea  of  having  to  give  my  name, 
and  make  myself  known,  has  sometimes  caused  me  to  pass 
along  incog. 

"Reached  Newark  a  short  time  before  sundown,  and 


l/l  L  K  AM)   LABORS  OV  JAMES  Ql  INN.  197 

found  comfortable  lodgings  at  the  house  of  a  brother, 
whose  name  I  did  not  retain;  went  to  Church,  and  heard 
a  sermon  on  the  faith  of  Moses,  by  a  member  of  the  North 
Ohio  conference;  was  edified;  thought  of  olden  times. 
But  of  the  large  congregation  but  few  knew  that  the  man 
was  present  who  used  to  preach  in  Newark  when  there 
were  but  a  few  log-cabins;  -when  twenty  or  thirty  would 
hare  been  considered  a  large  congregation,  and  five  or  six 
composed  the  first  class,  which  met  at  the  cabin  of  Abra- 
ham Wright,  Esq.  Now  I  am  in  the  bounds  of  my  old 
Hockhocking  circuit,  to  which  I  was  appointed  in  1804, 
and  also  in  the  bounds  of  Muskingum  district,  to  which  I 
was  appointed  by  Bishop  Asbury  in  1809.  The  circuit 
embraces  the  principal  part  of  the  territory  lying  and  be- 
ing in  the  counties  of  Fairfield,  Pickaway,  part  of  Frank- 
lin, part  of  Ross,  Hocking,  Perry,  Muskingum,  Licking, 
and  Knox.  Through  this  territory  we  ranged  once  a 
month,  preaching  nearly  every  day.  Of  course  we  had 
but  few  rest  days.  The  district  embraced  the  following 
counties  in  Ohio:  Gallia,  Meigs,  Athens,  Washington, 
Monroe,  Belmont,  Jefferson,  Harrison,  Tuscarawas,  Co- 
shocton, Knox,  Licking,  Muskingum,  Guernsey,  Morgan, 
Perry,  Hocking,  and  the  east  half  of  Fairfield;  and  Ca- 
bel,  Kanawha,  Mason,  and  Wood  counties,  in  Virginia. 
Through  this  district  I  ranged  regularly  once  a  quarter 
for  the  term  of  four  years;  and  truly  they  were  years  of 
privation  and  much  toil.  Often  have  1  been  absent  from 
my  family  from  three  to  six  weeks,  and  on  my  return  found 
that  disease,  and  once  that  death  had  been  there  in  my 
absence;  but  'the  Lord  of  hosts  was  with  us;  the  God  of 
Jacob  was  our  help.'  In  those  days  of  minority,  both  in 
the  membership  and  ministry,  it  frequently  happened,  not 
of  choice,  but  stern  necessity,  that  probationers  were  i  p- 
pointed  to  the  charge  of  circuits.     This  Laid  i  eight 

of  duty  and  responsibility  on  the  man  of  the  district,  as  the 
'       17* 


198  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

ordinances  could  only  be  administered  quarterly  on  many 
of  the  circuits.  In  order,  therefore,  as  far  as  possible,  to 
supply  this  lack,  the  preachers  used  to  make  a  string  of 
appointments  from  one  quarterly  meeting  to  another,  em- 
bracing nearly  every  day  in  the  week,  and  not  unfrequently 
intricate  disciplinary  cases  were  set  at  the  time  of  the  pre- 
siding elder's  visit.  These  things  were  looked  for  by  both 
preachers  and  people,  and  the  man  made  his  arrangements 
accordingly.  On  these  occasions  we  frequently  had  large 
congregations;  sometimes  administering  both  sacraments, 
and  witnessing  the  grace  of  God,  in  the  conviction,  con- 
version, and  salvation  of  many  precious  souls.  Thank  the 
Lord,  the  remembrance  of  these  things  causes  my  heart 
often  to  rejoice  in  God  my  salvation.  But  Newark,  too, 
has  become  a  station.  It  may  do  well,  if  they  get  a  faith- 
ful, laborious  man,  who  will  not  only  discharge  the  duties 
of  the  pulpit  with  fidelity,  but  attend  also  to  every  other 
part  of  the  work  required  in  the  Discipline,  to  the  perform- 
ance of  which  he  stands  pledged  in  his  ordination  vow. 

"28th.  From  Newark  to  Zanesville,  had  the  company 
of  old  brother  D.  Lewis,  who,  like  myself — from  necessity 
or  choice — was  on  horseback.  We  talked  of  the  toils, 
privations,  sufferings,  and  enjoyments  of  by-gone  days, 
rejoiced  in  the  present  prospects  of  the  Church  in  some 
things,  and  trembled  in  view  of  other  matters,  which,  con- 
necting with  the  Church  in  her  prosperity,  might  let  the 
world  break  in,  against  which  Mr.  Wesley  was  so  careful 
to  guard  every  part  of  Methodistical  economy — even 
building  churches — and  against  which  he  prayed  so  de- 
voutly: 

'Let  the  world  ne'er  break  in; 
Fix  a  mighty  gulf  between — 
Save  us  from  the  great  and  wise, 
Till  they  sink  in  their  own  eyes.' 

"  On  the  way  to  Zanesville  passed  an  old  quarterly  meet- 
ing stand,  where  once  we  had   a   most   blessed   season, 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QTTXN.  199 

while  dear  S.  Parker  was  preaching  on,  'And  it  shall 
come  to  pass  in  what  place  I  record  my  name  I  will  come/ 
etc.;  and  another  time  of  refreshing-,  while  J.  B.  Finley 
was  preaching  on  the  joyful  sound,  etc.  These  things 
took  place  in  1811  and  1812.  0,  God  was  with  us,  and 
the  shout  of  a  king  in  the  camp  of  our  Israel.  Passed, 
also,  an  old  camp  meeting  stand,  where  once  we  were  fa- 
vored with  the  presence  of  Bishops  Asbury  and  M'Ken- 
dree.  On  the  Sabbath,  the  Bishops  both  preached:  As- 
bury's  subject,  the  great  salvation;  M'Kendree's,  the  12th 
chapter  of  Isaiah  entire.  The  plan  of  their  sermons,  in 
substance,  is  yet  retained,  though  not  written.  God  was 
with  us,  of  a  truth.  Our  beloved  Samuel  Hamilton  was 
converted  on  this  camp-ground,  though  not  at  the  meeting 
of  which  I  now  speak.  No  doubt  in  heaven  many  will 
rejoice  forever  for  the  good  received  on  this  encampment. 
"Zanesville,  September  30.  Conference  opened  at  8 
o'clock;  went  on  pleasantly  from  day  to  day;  some  things 
not  just  as  I  could  have  wished,  particularly  sitting  with 
open  doors  in  the  examination.  May  it  not  be  ascribed  to 
this  modern  usage  that  complaints  are  sometimes  secretly 
made  in  another  place,  which  in  justice  ought  to  be  made 
in  open  conference,  and  the  evils  corrected  there,  and  not 
in  the  executive  department,  or  in  the  absence  of  the  party 
concerned?  but  it  is  the  will  of  the  majority,  and  that  set- 
tles the  matter.  I  am  here,  and  I  'will  not  aught  from 
favor  claim,  or  on  remembered  services  presume.'  This 
sentiment  I  gleaned  from  the  writings  of  Hannah  More, 
and  have  kept  it  by  me  as  a  kind  of  conference  motto  for 
more  than  thirty  years,  and  to  it  I  added  that  line  senti- 
ment of  Thomson,  'Should  fate  [say  Providence]  com- 
mand me  to  the  farthest  verge  of  the  green  earth,  I  cheer- 
fully will  obey.'  But  this  last  I  must  now  let  go;  the  peo- 
ple I  find  are  all  up — erectis  miribus,  ears  erect — for  great 
preaching.     In    the  variety   and   diversity  of  ministerial 


200  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

talents,  some  plant  and  others  water,  some  sow  and  others 
reap.  Those  who  plant  and  sow  are  not  denominated  re- 
vivalists, or  reformation  preachers;  yet,  if  there  were  no 
skillful  planters,  those  who  water  would  have  but  a  few 
sickly  plants  to  take  care  of,  and  if  there  were  no  good 
seedsmen,  the  reapers  would  have  but  few  sheaves  to 
gather,  except  they  should  gather  and  bind  thorns,  thistles, 
and  noxious  weeds,  and  so  attempt  to  make  up  in  quantity 
what  is  lacking  in  quality;  and  this  would  make  sad  work. 
Well,  let  not  the  Church  be  puffed  up  for  one,  against  the 
other  class  of  these  teachers,  preachers,  and  evangelists; 
for  Paul,  and  Apollos,  and  Cephas,  are  ours;  and  when 
the  harvest  shall  be  shouted  home  by  'joyful  angels,  who 
shall  fly  through  every  quarter  of  the  sky  together,  and  to 
convey  all  the  righteous  souls  to  one  capacious  place,'  then 
shall  those  who  plant,  with  those  who  water,  those  who 
sow,  and  those  who  reap,  refuge  together.  Here  I  felt 
myself  a  stranger.  But  the  time  had  come  for  the  ap- 
pointments to  be  announced,  and  the  conference  come  to 
an  adjournment.  This  was  done  in  public,  and  the  house 
was  crowded.  It  was  an  interesting  time,  and  many  faces 
were  wet  with  tears.  I  never,  perhaps,  shall  witness  such 
another  scene.  I  have  witnessed  many  such.  I  have 
been  present  at  the  appointment  of  thirty-seven  annual 
conferences,  and  eight  General  conferences,  and  my  heart 
and  eyes  both  have  always  been  affected,  hard  as  is  the 
one  and  dry  as  is  the  other  on  ordinary  occasions.  I  was 
present,  as  a  member,  when  Dr.  Coke  presided  for  the  last 
time  in  the  General  conference;  also,  when  the  sainted 
Whatcoat,  for  the  last  time,  sat  in  the  chair  of  General 
conference.  So,  also,  when  we  were  blessed,  for  the  last 
time,  with  the  presence  and  godly  counsel  of  the  never-to- 
be-forgotten  Asbury,  the  apostle  of  Methodism  in  the 
United  States.  I  was  present  at  the  close  of  the  General 
conference  in  which   George — the  holy,  fervent,  spirited 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  201 

Bishop  George — last  presided.  I  also  heard,  wiili  strong 
emotion,  our  dear  M'Kcndree's  valedictory,  which  he  de- 
livered, placing  his  right  hand  on  the  shoulder  of  Bishop 
Soule,  who  leaned  forward  to  support  him,  while  Bishops 
Roberts  and  Hedding  supported  on  the  left,  and  Bishops 
Andrew  and  Emory  sat  before  him,  within  the  railing, 
round  the  communion-table.  As  the  venerable  man  re- 
tired, supported  by  Dr.  Bangs  and  Bishop  Soule — I  think — 
one  on  either  hand,  I  said  to  brother  Akers,  'I  think  we 
have  Been  his  face,  we  have  heard  his  voice,  for  the  last 
time,  in  General  conference.' 

"Having  received  my  appointment,  I  set  out  for  my 
work;  reached  Somerset,  Perry  county,  at  1  o'clock;  dined 
and  fed.  Methodism  had  much  to  contend  with  here.  I 
knew  it,  and  with  all  my  little  capabilities  endeavored  to 
promote  its  interest,  when  it  could  scarcely  stand  or  walk 
alone;  but  now  it  is  a  strong  man,  a  good  society,  a  good 
meeting-house,  which  is  the  center  of,  and  gives  name  to  a 
good  circuit.  I  hope  they  will  not  soon  take  it  into  their 
heads  to  become  a  station.  I  iind  politics  running  high. 
One  of  my  intelligent  friends  said,  the  same  amount  of  zeal 
and  exertion  put  forth,  with  the  right  spirit,  in  the  cause  of 
Christ,  would  convert  the  nation,  yea,  the  world,  in  a  short 
time.  I  find,  however,  that  neither  Romanists,  Method- 
ists, or  Presbyterians,  are  all  on  one  side  in  politics;  and 
I  am  glad  of  it;  for,  while  that  is  the  case,  the  republic  has 
nothing  to  fear  from  ecclesiastical  combination,  in  order  to 
gain  power  by  the  blending  of  Church  and  state  policy. 
But  whenever  an  association,  professedly  religious  and 
moral  in  its  organization  and  objects,  sets  about  political 
maneuvering,  and  holding  out  inducements  to  political  par- 
ties already  formed,  for  the  purpose  of  using  coercion, 
where  moral  suasion  only  should  be  resorted  to.  then  it  is 
time  for  the  sharp-sighted  and  close -thinking  to  keep  a 
sharp  look-out. 


202  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

"  Reached  Rushville  an  hour  before  sunset.  Well,  before 
I  was  well  seated,  the  inquiry  was,  'Will  you  preach  for 
us  to-nio-ht?  Yes,  you  will;  we  will  rino-  the  bell,  and  you 
shall  have  a  good  congregation.'  Accordingly  we  had  a 
good  congregation  and  a  good  meeting,  and  I  found  I  was 
no  stranger  here.  Rushville  is  a  pleasant  place.  I  have 
known  the  society  here  from  its  first  organization,  an  excep- 
tion to  almost  all  others  with  which  I  have  had  an  ac- 
quaintance; for,  from  the  beginning,  it  has  continued  to 
wax  and  wax,  and  never  wane.  So  may  it  continue  till 
time  shall  be  no  more.  In  1804  we  had  a  small  class  of 
six  or  seven  members,  which  met  at  the  house,  or  cabin, 
of  Mr.  John  Murphey.  Mr.  Murphey,  his  wife,  Mr.  Isaac, 
J.  James,  his  wife,  and  two  or  three  others,  composed  the 
class,  which  continued  to  prosper  and  increase;  moving 
their  place  of  meeting  to  a  little  church,  a  little  south  of 
East  Rushville,  which  they  built  and  called  Pleasant  Hill. 
Here  the  society  continued  to  grow  and  grow,  till  the  place 
became  too  strait  for  them.  They  next  built  a  neat  brick 
house  in  the  village.  This,  however,  in  a  few  years  became 
too  small.  It  was  removed,  and  now,  in  its  place,  behold! 
a  stately,  spacious  brick  church,  with  basement,  steeple,  and 
bell,  all  in  neat  style,  and  a  happy  society  of  more  than 
three  hundred  in  number,  with  Sabbath  school  and  Bible 
classes,  etc.;  but  nothing  of  those  anti-Methodistical  thing's, 
pews  or  organs.  In  this  vicinity  was  my  family  residence 
for  sixteen  years,  while  I  ranged  through  the  Muskingum 
and  Scioto  districts  for  eight  years,  and  eight  years  more 
on  circuits,  more  or  less  contiguous,  3Tet  not  so  as  to  clog 
the  itinerancy,  or  embarrass  the  superintendencv.  I  hope 
Rushville  will  do  well,  keep  humble  and  good,  and  not 
take  it  into  her  head  to  become  a  station;  for,  if  all  our 
flourishing  villages  should  become  stations — located,  as 
they  are  for  the  most,  in  the  center  of  a  dense  and  wealthy 
country  population — the  circuits  would  soon  be  so  crippled 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QIINN.  203 

that  either  the  local  preachers  an  1  the  cxhorters  would 
have  to  do  the  itinerant  work,  or  else  we  should  have  to 
get  up  a  home  missionary  society  to  support  the  netkm- 
ims,  who  might  still  In-  admitted,  and  retained  to  supply 
the  poor  and  destitute  places. 

"Having  rested  a  day  at  Rushville,  I  set  out  for  Chili- 
cothe,  passing  through  Lancaster,  Tarleton,  and  Kingston. 
Lancaster  I  had  visited  in  the  winter  of  1800,  and  preached 
round  among  the  people  about  a  week,  and  found  them 
hungry  for  the  bread  of  life.  There  were  then  a  few  Meth- 
odists hereabouts,  waiting  for  the  opening  of  the  sales  of 
public  lands — the  Brights,  Spurgeons,  Teals,  Tomlinsons, 
etc.  Much  Gospel  labor  has  been  bestowed  on  Lancaster; 
many  faithful  men  have  labored  here;  the  society  has  had 
its  ebbs  and  flows;  but  has  attained  for  the  last  few  years 
a  permanency  worthy  of  a  Church  of  Christ.  It  has  now 
become  a  station,  and  has  for  its  minister  one  of  the  self- 
educated  sons  of  its  own  country.  A  splendid  brick 
church,  with  basement,  speaks  well  of  the  society  and  its 
friends.     0,  that  Lancaster  may  do  well! 

"Reached  Tarleton  an  hour  before  sunset.  'Well,  you'll 
preach  for  us;  we'll  ring  the  bell' — for  here,  too,  they  have 
a  good  church,  with  basement  and  bell,  and  a  good  strono- 
society.  We  had  a  small  society  or  two  in  this  vicinity  in 
1804,  which  have  ultimately  found  their  center  in  this 
pleasant  village.  We  had  a  good,  feeling  time,  and  retired 
to  rest,  not  before  we  needed  it.  Thank  the  Lord  for  the 
work  he  hath  wrought  in  this  land!  In  this  vicinity,  in 
1812,  I  received  into  the  Church  Rev.  G.  W.  Walker  and 
James  Parcels,  both  little  more  than  lads  at  that  time. 

"Next  morning  set  out  betimes  for  Chilicothe;  stopped 
an  hour  in  Kingston,  with  my  old  and  highly-esteemed 
friend,  John  Grouse;  found  him  and  his  old  lady  quietly 
and  patiently  waiting  for  their  change,  which  can  not  be 
far  off.     This  man  invited  me  to  preach  at  his  house  in 


204  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

1804;  he  was  then  a  gentlemanly  man  of  the  world,  in 
full  and  successful  pursuit  of  wealth;  and  in  this  he  was 
successful  above  many;  but  the  Lord  showed  him  his  lost 
and  ruined  condition,  and  sent  salvation  to  his  house. 
Since  that  time  he  has  been  a  nursing  father  to  the  socie- 
ties in  his  neighborhood;  as  steward  of  the  circuit,  atten- 
tive to  the  wants  of  the  preachers  and  their  families;  has 
built  a  house  for  the  Lord,  and  a  house  for  his  servants — 
with  but  little  if  any  assistance — in  Kingston.  We  con- 
versed and  prayed,  and  parted  in  hopes  of  meeting  again 
to  part  no  more. 

"Reached  Chilicothe  Saturday  night;  met  a  class  at  3 
o'clock,  Sunday  morning;  had  a  sweet,  refreshing  season; 
preached  at  1 1  o'clock  to  a  large  congregation;  had  a 
good  time,  and  found  myself  at  home,  as  I  always  do  in 
Chilicothe;  but  the  history  and  character  of  the  Church  in 
this  place  has  been  fully  ascertained  and  set  forth.  Rode 
on  to  Bainbridge,  eighteen  miles;  but  before  I  had  dis- 
mounted  I  was  accosted  with,  'Well,  we  have  an  appoint- 
ment for  you  to  preach  to-night,  and  we  are  glad  you  have 
got  here  in  time.'  We  had  a  refreshing  season,  and  went 
to  rest  late  and  tired  enough.  Lord  be  praised  for  the 
blessings  and  sanctuary  privileges  of  the  Sabbath!  Mon- 
day reached  home,  where  I  rest  a  few  days,  and  then  go 
to  my  circuit;  and  it  may  be  my  last.  If  so,  the  will  of 
God  be  mine!     Amen." 

Mr.  Quinn  was  reappointed  to  Wilmington  circuit.  He 
was,  however,  released  from  the  onerous  duties  of  charge, 
that  work  being  assigned  to  his  efficient  colleague — John 
M.  Howland.  This  was  a  year  of  great  prosperity  to 
Wilmington  circuit;  a  glorious  revival  was  realized,  and 
many  souls  were  awakened,  converted,  and  added  to  the 
Church.  Mr.  Quinn  was  greatly  blessed  in  his  own  soul, 
as  well  as  in  his  labors,  and  perhaps  this  was  one  of  the 
happiest  years  of  his  whole  life.     This  year  he  frequently 


LIFE   AND   LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINX.  205 

invited  penitent  souls  to  the  scats  vacated  for  their  accom- 
modation, that  they  might  have  the  advantage  of  the  in- 
struction of  himself  and  others,  and  receive  the  concen- 
trated sympathy,  solicitude,  and  prayers  of  such  as  had 
access  to  the  throne  of  grace,  and  influence  at  the  court 
of  heaven.  About  this  time  the  question  was  agitated  as 
to  the  distinguished  individual  who  first  introduced  the 
practice  of  inviting  penitent  persons  to  the  mourners' 
bench.      Hear  Mr.  Quinn  on  this  subject: 

"Something  has  been  said,  in  a  late  number  of  the 
Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  on  the  subject  of  inviting- 
mourners  to  the  vacated  seat  or  railing  around  the  com- 
munion-table— for  I  dislike  the  term  altar,  or  altar  for 
prayer,  on  such  occasions.  A  Jew  or  Catholic  may  use 
the  term  consistently  with  his  faith  on  the  subject  of  altar 
and  sacrifice,  but  an  enlightened  Protestant  believer,  when 
he  thinks,  speaks,  sings,  or  worships,  extends  his  views  be- 
yond temples  made  with  hands.  By  faith  he  dwells  on 
the  scenes  of  Gethsemane  and  Calvary,  and  thence  ascends 
with  the  ascending  Captain  of  our  salvation — now  made 
perfect  through  suffering — to  the  right  hand  of  the  throne 
of  the  Majesty  Eternal,  in  the  heavens,  joyfully  exclaiming, 
'  We  have  an  altar  of  which  they  have  no  right  to  eat  who 
serve  the  tabernacle.'  But  to  return.  The  writer  seems 
to  think  that  L.  Dow  first  introduced  the  practice  in 
1802-3;  but  the  first  I  ever  saw  or  heard  of  it  was  in 
1795  or  '6,  at  a  watch-night  held  at  the  house  of  that 
mother  in  our  Israel,  the  widow  Mary  Henthorn,  near 
Vniontown,  Penn.  The  person  who  conducted  the  meeting 
was  that  holy,  heavenly-minded  man,  the  Rev.  Valentine 
Cook — blessed  man!  In  imagination  I  view  him  now, 
near  or  quite  six  feet  in  stature,  quite  stoop-shouldered, 
dark  complexion,  coarse,  black,  bushy  hair,  not  much 
taken  care  of,  small,  deep-set,  black  eye,  and  full  of  the 
fire  of  intelligence,  strong,  well-arched  brows,  high  cheek- 

18 


206  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

bones,  and  an  unusually-large  mouth.  He  was  not  hand- 
some; but  when  he  conversed  on  the  subject  of  religion — 
and  it  was  almost  his  constant  theme — and  more  espe- 
cially when  he  preached,  there  was  a  sweet  and  almost 
heavenly  benignity  beaming  in  his  countenance,  presenting 
rather  an  unearthly  attraction.  It  was  next  to  impossible 
for  the  most  heedless  to  remain  uninterested  under  the 
sound  of  his  voice.  Mr.  Cook's  subject  was  the  qualifica- 
tions, duties,  and  awful  responsibilities  of  the  watchman. 
His  sermon  was  close  and  argumentative,  giving  to  the 
greedy  and  sleepy  dogs,  as  the  prophet  styles  the  avari- 
cious and  slothful  watchmen  or  ministers,  their  portion, 
observing,  as  he  passed  along,  that  those  who  were  the 
least  laborious  were  often  the  most  clamorous  for  their 
worldly  gain.  The  sermon  was  closed  with  an  almost 
overwhelming  exhortation,  which  appeared  as  if  it  must 
carry  all  before  it.  Then  came  the  invitation  to  the 
mourners  to  come  to  the  vacated  seats,  to  be  prayed  with 
and  for.  I  think  this  was  new,  perfectly  new,  for  the 
people  appeared  panic-struck;  and  I  confess  I  was  greatly 
moved,  for  it  appeared  to  me  as  if  the  two  worlds  were 
coming  together.  Verily,  methought  the  very  hairs  of 
my  flesh  stood  up.  He,  however,  was  very  particular  in 
giving  the  Scriptural  character  of  a  true  penitent,  and,  in 
the  most  affectionate  and  encouraging  manner,  invited 
such,  and  none  but  such,  to  come;  alleoino-  at  the  same 
time,  that  if  any  should  dare  to  act  as  did  Ananias  and 
his  wife,  they  might  be  met  as  these  were.  0,  it  was  an 
awful,  yet  glorious  time  of  the  gracious  power  and  pres- 
ence of  God!  Several  souls  found  peace  with  God  through 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  some  obtained  the  blessing  of 
perfect  love.  But  brother  Cook,  and  most  of  those  who 
united  with  him  in  that  meeting,  have  passed  away;  yet 
have  they  a  more  distinct  recollection  of  what  then  and 
there  took  place  than  the  old  man,  who,  by  the  forbearance 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUITO.  207 

of  God,  lives  to  write  about  it.  Since  that  time  I  have 
heard  many  inviting  mourners  to  the  place  prepared  for 
the  purpose — have  not  always  been  suited — have  often 
attempted  it  myself,  and  frequently  failed;  and  it  does 
appear  to  me  that  a  combination  of  time,  place,  persons, 
talents,  etc.,  must  concur;  otherwise,  not  only  no  good  but 
some  harm  may  be  the  result  of  a  misjudged  and  prema- 
ture effort.  We  may  have  seen,  as  well  as  read  of  sparks 
of  our  own  kindling." 

At  the  session  of  the  conference  in  the  autumn  of  1841, 
Mr.  Quinn  was  appointed  agent  for  the  "Preachers'  Relief 
Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church."  This  be- 
nevolent institution  had  been  formed  by  the  members  of 
the  conference,  at  their  session  in  September,  1838;  and 
as  it  was  very  desirable  to  increase  its  funds,  they  re- 
quested the  appointment  of  an  agent  for  that  purpose. 
The  nature  and  objects  of  this  noble  association  can  not 
be  better  explained  to  the  reader,  than  by  quoting  a  few 
articles  from  its  Constitution: 

"Art.  2.  The  officers  of  this  society  shall  be  a  Presi- 
dent, Vice-President,  Secretary,  Treasurer,  and  nine  Man- 
agers, who  shall  be  elected  annually  by  the  Society. 

"Art.  3.  Every  preacher  of  the  Ohio  annual  confer- 
ence, paying  one  or  more  dollars,  annually,  shall  be  a 
member  of  this  Society. 

"Art.  5.  The  Board  of  Managers  shall,  at  each  annual 
conference,  inquire  into  all  the  cases  that  may  be  presented 
to  them  for  relief,  and  make  such  appropriations  as  they 
shall  deem  expedient,  according  to  their  funds. 

"Art.  7.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Treasurer  to  keep 
a  faithful  account  of  all  moneys  received  and  distributed, 
and  report  annually  to  the  Society;  he  shall  not  donate 
any  money  without  an  order  from  the  Managers  signed  bv 
the  President  or  Vice-President. 

"Art.  8.    All   subscriptions,    donations,    and    bequest 


208  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

shall  be  safely  funded,  and  the  interest  only  appropriated 
by  the  Board  of  Managers. 

"Art.  9.  The  appropriations  of  the  Society  may  extend 
to  all  the  members  of  this  conference,  their  wives,  widows, 
and  children;  but  if,  at  any  time,  the  applicants  for  assist- 
ance can  not  all  be  relieved  by  the  available  funds  of  the 
Society,  the  most  pressing  cases  shall  be  first  met,  and, 
other  things  being  equal,  members  of  the  Society  who 
have  contributed  to  its  funds,  shall,  in  such  cases,  be 
preferred." 

Soon  after  entering  upon  the  duties  of  his  agency,  he 
addressed  the  members  and  friends  of  the  Church,  within 
the  sphere  of  his  operations,  through  the  medium  of  the 
Western  Christian  Advocate,  in  his  usual  felicitous  style. 
The  address  is  given,  not  only  because  it  may  interest  the 
reader  on  many  accounts,  but  now  that  the  agent  is  exalted 
to  his  reward,  and  has  left  his  widow  to  the  care  of  the 
conference,  it  is  hoped  it  will  still  exert  an  influence  to 
increase  the  funds  of  that  useful  society,  which  was  so 
dear  to  his  heart,  and  which  he  once  served: 

"For  more  than  forty  years  I  have  been  in  the  habit  of 
receiving  my  appointment  at  conference  to  a  circuit,  dis- 
trict, or  station,  and  then  hastening  with  pleasure  to  my 
field  of  labor,  never  asking  for  an  easy  place,  nor  refusing 
to  go  to  a  hard  one.  But  now  I  have  received  an  agency 
to  solicit  donations  for  the  '  Preachers'  Relief  Society.' 
I  fear  I  shall  do  a  poor  business;  but  I  suppose  I  must  try. 
Some  say,  'You  will  do  well;  for  you  have  vantage-ground 
which  can  be  occupied  by  yourself  only.'  It  is  true,  I 
am  one  of  those  who  first  brought  salvation's  joyful  sound 
to  the  log-cabins  of  the  fathers  and  grandfathers  of  many 
who  are  now  blessed  by  the  Giver  of  all  good,  and  who 
are  abounding  in  wealth.  Surely,  to  these  I  shall  not 
appeal  in  vain. 

"  There  are  already  several  well-qualified  agents  in  the 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUTNN.  209 

field,  soliciting  aid  for  various  institutions.  There  is 
Sehon:  it  is  well  known  what  he  can  do;  I  trust  none  will 
turn  him  away  empty,  for  he  is  engaged  in  the  blessed 
Bible  cause.  Then  there  is  Maley:  there  is  no  getting  off 
from  his  solicitations — he  hangs  on  to  the  last!  There  is 
likewise  Gaddis:  no  one  can  get  out  of  humor  with  him; 
the  cause  of  learning  is  good,  and  I  hope  it  will  be  liberally 
sustained.  But  our  people  should  never  forget  the  men 
who  have  worn  themselves  out  in  the  work;  or  the  lonely 
widows  and  helpless  orphans  of  those  who  have  died  in 
the  cause.  Those  men  counted  not  their  lives  dear  to 
them,  so  that  they  might  finish  the  ministry  which  they 
had  received  from  the  Lord,  in  proclaiming  the  Gospel  of 
the  grace  of  God.  They  were  poor  through  life — they 
laid  not  up  treasure  on  earth;  yet  made  they  many  rich! 
And  are  not  some,  to  whom  this  appeal  is  made,  among 
those  who  have  been  benefited  in  a  pecuniary  point  of 
view,  through  the  instrumentality  of  those  men? 

"I  am  visiting  different  places  as  rapidly  as  I  can,  and 
I  intend  to  preach  as  often  as  I  am  able,  and  to  meet  class 
as  often  as  I  shall  get  opportunity;  for  I  should  think  I 
was  backslidden  from  God  if  I  did  not  love  the  class 
meeting. 

"I  was  thinking  the  other  night,  that  in  more  than 
forty  years  spent  in  the  itinerant  field,  my  deficiency  in 
the  disciplinary  allowance  amounted  to  about  two  thousand 
six  hundred  dollars.  Now,  how  easy  it  would  be  for  some 
fifty  or  a  hundred  of  the  children  and  grandchildren  of 
those  among  whom  I  have  labored  these  many  years, 
preaching  the  Gospel  of  the  kingdom,  to  unite  and  make 
up,  and  hand  me  over  the  sum!  And  what  should  I 
do  with  it?  Buy  a  farm?  Put  it  out  on  usury  at  ten, 
twelve,  fifteen,  or  twenty  per  cent.?  No,  no!  I  would 
drop  the  interest,  and  deposit  the  principal  in  the  funds  of 
the    Preachers'  Relief  Society.     This  would  doubtless  be 


210  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

the  means  of  gladdening  the  heart  of  some  war-worn 
veteran,  or  of  drying  the  tear  of  some  lonely  widow, 
when  I  shall  be  sleeping  in  the  grave.  I  trust  none  will 
turn  me  off  quite  empty.  Only  lend  the  Lord  a  few  dol- 
lars, and  he  will  pay  you  good  interest — yea,  a  hundred 
per  cent." 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  21  1 


CHAPTER   XII. 

Is  made  supernumerary — A  severe  trial — Letter  to  his  brother — 
Fierce  opposition  to  the  Methodists  in  the  west — Public  discussion 
between  Mr.  Jamieson  and  Mr.  Cook — Debate  between  Mr.  Welsh 
and  Mr.  Scott  —  Discussion  on  baptism  between  V.  Cook  and  John 
Cotlilv — Many  reminiscences  and  other  matter — School  at  Union- 
town — Produced  Bome  literary  fruit — Claims  to  be  a  western  man — 
Three  classes  of  preachers — Great  embarrassment  to  such  as  had 
families — Lotspeich  in  distress — Soon  after  removed  by  death — 
The  western  pioneers  worthy  of  respect — Redundancy  of  labor- 
Ministere  invited  farther  west — Wishes  he  were  able  to  go — 
Invited  to  attend  large  meetings — Camp  meeting  near  Decatur — 
Bad  conduct  of  young  men — Successful  method  of  reproving 
them — Wonderful  effect — Sometimes  reproved  with  severity — Case 
of  a  young  woman — Often  tender,  and  generally  successful — Failed 
in  one  case — Interview  between  Bishop  Asbury  and  Mr.  O'Kelly — 
Reason  O'Kelly  left  the  Church — He  and  adherents  organize. 

At  the  conference  held  September  28,  1842,  not  being 
able  to  perform  the  work  of  an  effective  laborer,  the  con- 
ference assigned  him  a  supernumerary  relation;  and  he 
was  not  expected  to  do  any  more  work  than  he  should 
judge  himself  able,  and  find  it  convenient  to  do.  This,  to 
a  man  who  had  been  effective  so  long,  and  had  taken  equal 
part  with  his  brethren  in  the  itinerant  work,  must  have 
formed  a  severe  trial,  which  required  time  for  the  mind  to 
submit  to.  It  is  no  easy  lesson  to  learn  how  to  be  old,  and 
suddenly  to  change  long-continued  habits,  exercised  in  the 
active  duties  of  the  itinerancy.  He,  however,  soon  found 
grace  and  strength  to  endure,  with  patience,  and  cheerfully 
submitted  to  his  comparative  retirement  from  the  work. 

The  following  extract  of  a  letter,  addressed  to  his 
brother,  of  Nashville,  Tennessee  —  Rev.  Matthew  H. 
Quinn — will  explain  his  condition  of  health,  and  other  cir- 
cumstances, during  this  conference  year.     It  is  dated 

"January  24,  1843. 

"By  the  tender  mercy  of  God,  I  am  yet  here,  and  in  the 
enjoyment  of  pretty  good  health.      T  eat  my  food  with  a 


212  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

good  relish,  but  do  not  require  as  much  by  one-third  as  in 
my  younger  days.  I  rise  early,  and  never  lie  down,  or  nap 
it,  through  the  day.  I  sleep  six  or  seven  hours  at  night. 
I  have  no  pain,  no  disease,  except  my  asthmatic  affection, 
which,  on  taking  cold,  is  rather  troublesome,  especially  at 
night.  I  can  ride  on  horseback  twenty  or  thirty  miles  in 
a  day,  with  but  little  fatigue.  I  have  but  little  difficulty 
in  preaching  so  as  to  be  heard  distinctly  by  large  assem- 
blies. My  voice  holds  out  well,  and  yet  my  flesh  is  wast- 
ing, and  my  strength  is  failing.  I  have  not  half  the 
strength  of  manhood.  How  true  are  the  words  of  inspira- 
tion: 'Man  wasteth  away!'  Truly,  time  is  shaking  me  by 
the  hand;  and  when  a  few  years  are  come,  I  shall  go  the 
way  whence  I  shall  not  return.  0,  that  I  may  be  pre- 
pared; that  I  may  bless  the  summons  as  a  kind  one,  and 
lie  down  and  die  in  peace! 

"At  the  close  of  forty-four  years'  service  in  the  itinerant 
ranks,  I  received  last  conference  a  supernumerary  relation. 
No  work,  no  pay.  I  feel  greatly  lost;  and  being  thrown 
on  my  own  resources,  which  are  very  limited,  I  am  no  lit- 
tle embarrassed;  but  in  God  is  my  trust." 

At  this  period  of  his  life,  his  mind  was  often  occupied 
with  the  eventful  history  of  the  Church  with  which  he  was 
so  long  identified.  Having  watched  with  the  greatest  so- 
licitude the  rise  and  progress  of  Methodism  in  the  west, 
and  contributed  so  much  to  its  wide-spread  influence  and 
permanency,  it  is  natural  to  suppose  he  would  frequently 
compare  the  past  with  the  present.  In  this  contrast  he 
saw  that  a  wonderful  change  had  taken  place  in  the  public 
mind  in  regard  to  the  Church  of  his  early  choice;  and  he 
could  but  think  of  the  severe  struggles  and  conflicts  she 
once  had  to  pass  through.  It  could  not  be  expected  that 
the  doctrines,  discipline,  and  usages  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  would  be  propagated  and  established  among 
the  bold  adventurers  who  had  first  settled  the  west,  with- 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMKS  QUINN.  213 

out  violent  opposition.  Pure  religion  finds  an  enemy  in 
every  depraved  beart,  as  certainly  as  that  "the  carnal 
mind  is  enmity  against  God."  Hence  the  Savior  said, 
"Suppose  ye  that  1  am  come  to  give  peace  on  the  earth? 
I  tell  you  nay;  but  rather  division."  He  who  understood 
the  nature  of  his  own  religion,  and  the  condition  of  the 
moral  world,  could  anticipate,  with  infallible  precision,  the 
terrible  strife  that  would  be  produced  by  the  preaching  and 
triumph  of  his  truth.  This  has  been  exemplified  in  every 
age  and  nation  where  the  pure  Gospel  has  been  proclaimed; 
and  when  "  Christianity  in  earnest"  was  introduced  among 
the  western  people,  of  course  it  excited  fierce  persecutions. 
Other  denominations  who  had  preceded  the  Methodists, 
and  were  pretty  well  established  in  many  regions  of  the 
great  western  valley,  were  expected  to  adhere  with  great 
tenacity  to  their  peculiar  and  favorite  tenets.  Of  course 
they  would  not  yield  the  ground  to  Methodism,  without 
making  as  formidable  a  resistance,  by  argument  and  other- 
wise, as  was  possible. 

Mr.  Quinn  has  left  a  very  interesting  statement  of  the 
violent  current  of  infidelity  and  irreligion  which  opposed 
the  introduction  of  Methodism  in  every  place.  He  has, 
also,  narrated  some  of  the  public  discussions  which  took 
place  with  other  denominations,  which,  I  am  sure,  can  not 
fail  to  interest  the  reader. 

"  Opposition,  of  course,  came  from  various  quarters;  the 
vicious  and  immoral  of  all  classes  arrayed  themselves  with 
all  their  energies  against  the  servants  and  work  of  God. 
But  although  they  took  counsel  together,  and  set  them- 
selves against  the  Lord  and  his  people,  yet  Jehovah  of 
hosts  was  with  his  servants;  and  as  the  God  of  Jacob  was 
their  defense,  many  of  the  stout-hearted  enemies  of  God  and 
his  Christ,  his  Church  and  his  ministers,  were  made  to  lick 
the  dust;  they  were  taken,  they  were  killed  with  the  two- 
edged  sword,   they  were  healed  and  made  alive  by  an 


214  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

application  of  Gilead's  healing  balm.  I  have  been  person- 
ally acquainted  with  scores,  say  hundreds,  of  the  van- 
quished; I  have  seen  them  in  their  right  mind,  clothed  and 
seated  in  the  Church — both  in  the  membership  and  minis- 
try— and  heard  them  sing  and  shout  aloud  the  glories  of 
their  conqueror,  the  great  Immanuel.  Many  of  these,  as 
soldiers  of  the  cross,  have  not  only  fought  the  good  fight, 
and  kept  the  faith,  but  they  have  finished  their  course,  and 
gained  the  prize.  The  religionists  of  the  day,  however 
divided  among  themselves  in  some  things,  appeared  to 
think  it  their  duty  to  unite  in  their  opposition  to  the  Meth- 
odists, whom  they  regarded  as  heretics,  and  a  common 
enemy,  calling  for  the  united  strength  of  all  to  keep  out, 
or  counteract  the  ruinous  tendency  of  their  doctrines, 
as  calculated  to  deceive  and  ruin — if  it  were  possible — the 
very  elect.  They  often  attacked  them  in  public,  after 
preaching,  and  assailed  them  in  private,  and  sometimes 
put  them  up  to  all  they  knew,  but  often  found  them  better 
prepared  to  defend  themselves  than  they  had  anticipated, 
and  not  unfrequently  found  themselves  foiled  by  the  illiter- 
ate green -horns,  as  they  were  called;  for  the  Methodist 
preachers  of  that  day  read  their  Bibles  incessantly,  with 
much  prayer,  and  could  give  book,  chapter,  and  verse,  the 
text  with  the  context,  on  every  disputed  point;  and  they 
knew  how  to  wield  the  powerful  argumentative  weapons, 
furnished  by  the  Fellow  of  Lincoln  College,  Oxford,  and 
the  Vicar  of  Madeley.  In  this  way  they  often  silenced 
their  opposers,  put  to  flight  their  adversaries,  and  made 
proselvtes  not  a  few.  Several  public  discussions  took  place; 
in  all  of  which  Methodism  lost  nothing,  but  gained  much; 
for  thereby  public  attention  was  waked  up,  and  inquiry  took 
place,  and  the  system  of  doctrines  taught  by  the  Method- 
ists had  nothing  to  fear  from  the  most  rigid  investigation. 
"The  first  public  discussion,  which  I  shall  notice,  took 
place  in  Westmoreland,  Penn.,  a  few  miles  distant  from 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  215 

Greensburg,  I  think  in  1792.  It  was  brought  on  by  a  Mr. 
Porter,  a  Presbyterian  minister,  who  commenced  a  most 
violent    attack   upon  the  Methodists  in  the  newspapers. 

Mr.  V.  Cook  replied  in  the  style  of  a  scholar  and  a  Chris- 
tian; and  several  pieces  passed,  in  which  the  Presbyterian 
waxed  warmer  and  warmer,  and  the  Methodist  grew 
stronger  and  stronger.  At  length  the  inquiry  was  made, 
'Who  is  this  Cook?'  'Why,  forsooth,  he  is  a  scholar  of 
Cokesbury  College.'  Then,  out  came  Rev.  Mr.  Jamieson, 
a  Scotchman  of  the  Seceder  Church,  and  invited  a 
public  debate.  Mr.  Jamieson  was  said  to  be  a  profound 
scholar,  and  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  powers  of  mind. 
Mr.  Cook  accepted  the  challenge,  and  the  time  and  place 
of  meeting  was  agreed  upon.  No  doubts  or  fears  were 
entertained  by  Messrs.  Porter,  Jamieson,  and  their  friends, 
but  Calvinism  would  gain  a  complete  triumph,  and  that 
Methodism  and  Methodist  preachers  would  be  put  to  the 
rout.  The  Methodists  thought  their  cause  was  good,  but 
were  not  so  confident  of  success.  They,  however,  had 
recourse  to  God  by  fasting  and  prayer — as  I  well  remem- 
ber— that  the  cause  of  truth  might  be  sustained.  At 
length  the  day  arrived,  the  parties  met,  and  a  vast  concourse 
of  people  were  in  attendance,  of  all  creeds,  and  no  creeds, 
some  of  whom  were  from  fifty  to  eighty  miles  distance,  to 
witness — as  I  believe — the  first  public  debate  that  ever 
was  had  on  the  subject  of  religious  opinion  in  the  great 
western  valley.  As  I  was  not  present  at  this  debate,  I 
can  not  go  into  the  details,  though  I  often  had  them,  both 
from  Presbyterians  and  Methodists,  who  were  on  the 
spot. 

"As  to  Mr.  Cook,  I  know  he  was  clear  and  powerful  in 
argument.  And  I  know,  also,  that,  after  this,  Methodism 
found  its  way  into  many  high-toned  Calvinist  neighbor- 
hoods and  families,  and  societies  were  raised  up  in  places, 
where  previous  to  that  it  was  forbidden  a  place  for  the  sole 


216  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

of  its  foot;  and  there  are  now  in  the  front  ranks  of  Meth- 
odism, both  in  western  Pennsylvania,  and  still  farther  wes  , 
many,  very  many,  of  the  descendants  of  those  who 
were  its  most  violent  enemies  and  opposers. 

"The  second  public  debate  took  place  in  the  town  of 
Washington,  Washington  county,  Penn.,  some  time  in 
1793,  when  Rev.  T.  Scott— now  of  Chilicothe  —  w. is 
traveling  Ohio  circuit,  Va.,  which,  at  that  time,  included 
the  town  of  Washington.  It  seems  that  Mr.  S.  had  ob- 
tained leave,  and  had  preached  a  few  times  in  the  court- 
house. He  was  then  young,  and  of  very  youthful  appear- 
ance; yet,  young  as  he  was,  his  youth  was  not  to  be 
despised;  for  many  attended,  and  became  much  interested 
in  the  preaching  of  the  young  Methodist  minister.  This 
gave  the  alarm  to  Rev.  Mr.  Welsh,  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  a  most  rigid,  thorough-going  Calvinist,  said  to  be 
a  man  of  learning  and  talents;  and  as  there  was  no  sister 
churching  of  us  in  those  days,  he  published  that  on  a  set 
day  he  would  publicly  expose  and  refute  the  errors  of 
Methodism.  The  youthful  Scott,  in  nothing  afraid  of  his 
adversaries,  published  that  he  would  be  there  to  defend 
Methodism  as  Scriptural  truth.  The  day  came;  and  not 
the  court-house,  but  the  court-yard,  was  filled  with  people, 
many  of  whom  had  come  from  afar.  Mr.  Welsh  exerted 
all  his  natural,  moral,  and  literary  ability,  in  a  most  des- 
perate effort  to  demolish  Methodism,  and  tear  it  up,  root 
and  branch.  Then  came  on  the  youthful  Scott,  with  his 
Gospel  sling  and  smooth  stones.  He  used  soft  words,  but 
there  were  hard  arguments  in  the  logical  arrangement,  and 
they  sunk  deeply  lodged  in  the  understanding  and  the 
heart.  Time  has  told  well  of  that  day's  work,  and  no 
doubt  eternity  will  tell  more.  The  Methodist  Church  has 
long  been  acknowledged  there  as  an  orthodox  and  sister 
Church.  Ah,  well  they  could  not  help  it.  It  is  not  best 
to  fio-ht  always.     TsTo,  indeed;  and  now  we  are  loved  as  an 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  Ql  INN.  217 

orthodox  Church.  Well,  it  may  be  so,  fair  lad}-;  but  we 
know  whal  the  <>ld  Confession  says,  and  we  see  you  ^ t ill 
k<  i  p  it  under  your  mantle. 

''The  third  and  last  public  discussion  that  I  shall  take 
notice  of,  took  place  some  time  in  die  year  171k;  or  1797, 
on  the  subjects  and  mode  of  Christian  baptism,  between 
Rev.  Valentine  Cook  and  Rev.  John  Corbly.  This  gentle- 
man was  a  talented,  thorough-going-,  straight-laced  Calvin- 
ist,  and  close-communion  Baptist,  who  exerted  a  very 
extensive  influence  in  western  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia. 
In  fact,  he  \v;;s  almost  the  oracle,  and  was  regarded  as  the 
father  of  the  Baptist  Church  in  that  section  of  the  country. 
He,  no  doubt,  believed  it  his  duty  to  exert  all  his  energies 
in  opposition  to  the  Methodists.  How  the  discussion  be- 
tween him  and  Mr.  Cook  was  brought  about,  I  am  not  now 
prepared  to  say.  But  it  was  conducted  with  ability  on 
both  sides.  The  result  was,  that  many  who  had  long  been 
halting,  came  forward,  bringing  their  households,  and  were 
baptized  into  the  Methodist  Church  by  affusion,  both  men, 
women,  and  children,  believing  baptism  to  be  the  seal  of 
covenant  relation;  and  that,  as  Christ  had  placed  infants  in 
the  same  covenant  relation  with  believers,  by  recognizing 
them  as  the  subjects  of  his  kingdom,  they  had  as  good  a 
title  to  the  seal  of  that  relation  as  those  who,  by  faith 
in  Christ,  had  been  converted,  and  became  as  little  chil- 
dren, having  received  the  kingdom  of  God  as  such.  The 
venerable  Corbly  having  served  his  generation,  hath  long- 
since  fallen  asleep;  but  although  he,  no  doubt,  left  his 
blessing  with  and  upon  his  offspring,  yet  hath  not  his  re- 
ligious creed  been  entailed  upon  them;  for  five  or  more  of 
his  great  grandchildren  are  now  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church;  and  one  of  them  the  wife  of  Rev.  S. 
H.,  a  member  of  the  Ohio  conference.  And  a  few  days 
since  I  baptized  two  of  the  infant  great  great  grandchildren 
of  him.  who  would  not  admit  to  the  Lord's  table  one  who 

19 


218  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

had  not  been  immersed  by  a  Baptist  minister  upon  a  pro- 
fession of  faith." 

The  following  reminiscences,  and  other  interesting  items, 
written  by  Mr.  Quinn,  are  deemed  worthy  of  a  place  here: 

"Before  I  pass  from  old  Uniontown,  it  may  not  be 
amiss  to  take  some  notice  of  a  little  literary  enterprise, 
which  was  gotten  up  in  that  place,  which,  if  it  serve  no 
other  purpose,  will  go  to  show  that  the  Methodists  were 
not  inattentive  to  the  subject  of  learning.  Indeed,  none 
but  those  who  are  ignorant  of  their  history  will  make  that 
charge  against  them.  It  is  true,  they  did  not,  and  do  not, 
make  classical  learning  the  Alpha  and  Omega  as  to  minis- 
terial qualification,  yet  they  were  the  friends  of  learning. 
And  it  may  be  safely  asserted,  that  no  class  of  men  in 
that  day  were  more  intent  upon  the  acquisition  of  useful 
knowledge,  than  were  the  Methodist  preachers;  they  also 
urged  the  importance  and  necessity  of  education  on  their 
people.  And  the  rule  in  our  excellent  Discipline,  which 
requires  the  preachers  to  preach  on  the  subject  of  education, 
stood  forth  as  prominently  in  the  little  book  then  as  it  does 
now. 

''The  Uniontown  school  enterprise  was  gotten  up  in 
1793  or  1794;  but  at  whose  instance  I  am  not  fully  pre- 
pared to  say.  I  think,  most  probably,  that  it  originated 
with  Mr.  Asbury.  However,  most  certain  it  is,  that  the 
good  man  took  a  lively  interest  in  the  project.  A  Mr. 
Sheppee,  an  Englishman,  of  considerable  learning,  was 
the  first  principal  here.  He,  however,  continued  but  a 
short  time,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  John  Hooker  Rey- 
nolds, a  Welshman,  a  traveling  preacher  on  trial.  He  was 
appointed  to  Union  school  in  1795,  and  remained,  say  two 
years,  as  teacher  of  languages,  while  the  English  depart- 
ment was  conducted  by  Rev.  William  Wilson,  of  Eastern 
Shore,  Md.  These  were  said  to  be  competent  men.  But 
as  this  was  a  small  concern,  without  charter  or  endow- 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  219 

rnent,  having  to  depend  wholly  on  tuition  fees  for  its  sup- 
port, it  soon  went  down,  and  was  abandoned,  involving  a 
few  in  pecuniary  liability  to  some  small  amount.  Short- 
lived, however,  as  was  this  institution,  it  produced  some 
literary  fruit:  two  M.  D.s,  Stevens  and  Boyd;  one  lawyer, 
T.  Mason;  and  two  ministers  of  eminence,  Rev.  Thomas 
Lyel,  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  of  New  York, 
and  our  dear  S.  Parker,  of  the  west,  received  the  rudi- 
ments of  a  classical  education  in  Union  school.  I  think  I 
may  safely  say,  that  from  the  coming  of  Cooper  and 
Breeze  till  the  commencement  of  the  present  century, 
there  was  a  gradual  increase  and  extension  of  Methodist 
principles  and  influence  in  the  head  of  the  great  valley. 
The  preachers  were,  for  the  most  part,  intelligent,  grave, 
devoted  men,  who  had  the  cause  of  God  deeply  at  heart, 
and  labored  most  incessantly  for  the  salvation  of  souls, 
that  God  might  be  glorified  thereby.  In  speaking  of 
those  who  were  instrumental  in  planting  Methodism  in  the 
west,  I  have  made  mention  of  them  from  my  own  knowl- 
edge; for  here  was  I  from  the  beginning.  My  father  and 
mother  were  married  in  a  fort,  and  I  was  born  in  a  cabin, 
not  far  from  a  block-house,  whither  the  settlers  fled  upon 
an  alarm  of  Indian  depredation.  Here  I  was  converted; 
here  I  received  my  religious  and  theological  training;  and 
here  have  I  exercised  my  ministry  for  forty  years,  except 
one  year  that  I  spent  in  Frederick,  Berkley,  and  Jefferson 
counties,  Va.  I  therefore  claim  to  be  a  western  man;  and 
let  no  good  brother  attempt  to  rob  me  of  this  honor.  The 
number  in  society,  in  1800,  as  the  fruit  of  sixteen  years' 
labor,  was  one  thousand,  six  hundred  and  forty-seven;  but 
many  had  removed  to  Kentucky  and  the  north-western 
territory.  In  1803  there  were  returned  two  thousand, 
seven  hundred  and  ninety-four.  This  year  closed  my  la- 
bors in  that  section  of  the  country,  and  I  was  transferred 
from  the  Baltimore  to  the  Western  conference." 


220  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

Here  he  gives  the  names  and  locations  of  the  ten  Meth- 
odist meeting-houses,  which  were  in  the  Redstone  country 
at  the  beginning  of  the  nineteenth  century,  and  then  con- 
tinues: 

"  These  were  all  small  log -houses,  but  the  Lord  honored 
them  all  with  his  presence;  and  the  writer  has  witnessed 
gracious  outpourings  of  his  Spirit  in  each  of  them,  on 
quarterly  and  other  occasions.  But  the  worshipers,  where 
are  they  now?  Many  of  them  are  worshiping  in  the  upper 
sanctuary.  0,  may  I  join  them  there!  The  men  who 
labored  in  this  extensive  missionary  field — for  such  it 
properly  was — might  be  thrown  into  three  classes,  as  to 
the  labor  they  performed,  and  the  sufferings  they  endured. 
The  first  is  composed  of  those  who  came  on  exploring 
excursions.  These  passed  through  the  land  in  its  length 
and  breadth,  saw  the  perishing  condition  of  the  inhab- 
itants, called  them  to  repentance,  pointed  them  to  the 
Savior;  formed  the  skeletons  of  circuits,  raised  small  soci- 
eties; heard  wolves  howl,  panthers  scream,  bears  growl, 
and  Indians  yell;  ate  coarse  fare — when  they  could  get 
it — slept  cold  and  hard,  and  sometimes  in  the  woods; 
fought  insects  day  and  night;  but  held  on  their  way  with 
courage  a  year,  eighteen  months,  or  two  years;  then  re- 
turned and  told  the  moving,  the  spirit-stirring  story,  and 
roused  the  sympathies  of  their  brethren,  both  in  the  mem- 
bership and  ministry.     Well,  dear,  perishing  people,  they 

must  have  the  Gospel;  but  dear  brother ,  he  has  had 

hard  times,  and  plenty  of  them;  he  must  have  a  good, 
easy  circuit  or  station;  and  the  people  heard  of  them  once 
in  a  while,  but  they  saw  the  faces,  they  heard  the  voices, 
of  the  dear  men  no  more. 

"But  others  came,  full  of  faith  and  holy  fervor;  and 
the  Lord  raised  up  some  here.  These  entered  heartily 
into  the  blessed  work,  not  appearing  to  count  their  lives 
dear  to  themselves.     They  said,  '  Here  are  we  to  live  and 


I. II  i:  and  LABOBS  OK  JAMBB  Oj  INN.  221 

to  die  with  you,  to  spend  and  be  spent  for  you.'  They 
went  on  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord,  and  the  Lord  wrought 
with  them,  and  the  word  was  confirmed  and  grew  mightily, 
and  much  people  "was  added  to  the  Lord.  Truly,  truly, 
'the  wilderness  and  the  solitary  places  were  made  glad.' 

"But  after  a  few  years  we  saw  one  look  sad,  very  sad, 
and  we  heard  another  heave  a  long  sigh,  accompanied 
with  a  deep-toned  groan.  'Brother,  may  I  be  permitted 
to  ask  what  ails  you?'  'Ah,  brother,  I  find  I  shall  have 
to  leave  the  work,  and  it  seems  as  if  it  would  break  my 
heart.  My  family  are  beginning  to  rise  up;  fifty  or  one 
hundred  dollars  a  year  is  nothing  for  children  or  house 
rent;  cold  looks,  and  sometimes  the  cutting  remark, 
"Traveling  preachers  have  no  business  with  wives  and 
families,"  etc.  I  am  spending  what  my  wife  received,  or 
my  father  gave  me.  My  health,  too,  is  beginning  to  fail, 
and  I  can  not  endure  the  thought  of  my  family  being 
reduced  to  want,  and  my  widow  and  orphan  children  left 
in  the  depth  of  poverty.  I  must  retire,  and  endeavor,  in 
some  honest  calling,  to  make  provision  for  my  wife  and 
helpless  children.  Lord,  help  me;  I  hope  I  may  be  useful, 
to  some  extent,  in  a  local  sphere.'  Here  tears  began  to 
roll  down  the  manly  cheek,  and  he  only  added,  'Give  me 
a  location.' 

"I  have  a  case  in  point.  On  the  last  round  of  quar- 
terly meetings  before  conference,  at  the  close  of  the  meet- 
ing, brother  R.  Lotspeich  said  to  me,  'Brother  Quinn,'I 
shall  not  be  at  conference.  I  wish  you  to  obtain  a  location 
for  me.  I  must  retire.  I  have  struggled  on  as  long  as  I 
can.  I  have  exhausted  the  principal  part  of  my  present 
funds,  and  shall  soon  have  nothing  left.  This  I  would  not 
regard  if  I  had  no  family;  but  my  duty  to  my  family  is, 
in  my  judgment,  paramount  to  every  other  consideration.' 
•o.  brother,'  said  i,  'try  M  a  little  longer;  -rust  in  the 
Lord — may  be  matters  will  get  better;  the  people  will 
19* 


222  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

certainly  lay  it  to  heart.'  'Ko,'  said  he,  'the  matter  is 
settled  with  me.  Our  people  will  never,  in  my  time,  make 
provision  for  a  married  ministry.'  So  saying,  he  turned 
off  and  wept,  and  I  wept  too,  for  the  same  feelings  were 
struggling  in  my  own  breast.  We  prayed  and  parted,  and 
I  saw  his  face  no  more. 

"Having  closed  my  round  of  quarterly  meetings,  I 
started  for  conference.  One  met  me  with  the  inquiry, 
'Have  you  heard  of  brother  Lotspeich's  death?'  'Is  he 
dead?'  'Yes,  he  died  at  Dr.  M'Dowell's,  on  Deer  creek, 
two  weeks  after  you  left  us,  and  died  shouting.  Parker 
and  Cummins  were  with  him,  closed  his  eyes,  laid  him  out, 
and  shrouded  him;  and  Parker  preached  his  funeral.'  Did 
the  Lord  take  him  from  the  evil  to  come?  Many  others 
located,  some  with  broken  constitutions,  and  almost  broken 
hearts.  If  any  of  these  men  have,  at  any  time,  been 
neglected  or  slighted  by  any  of  the  traveling  preachers, 
who  have  entered  into  their  labors,  and  now  occupy  the 
pleasant  fields  that  were  formed  and  cleared  by  them,  it 
was  worse  than  a  shame;  and  if  they  are  neglected  and 
slighted  by  our  people,  let  them  look  over  the  minutes  of 
by-gone  years,  and  see  who  they  were  that  bore  the  heat 
and  burden  of  the  day,  who  labored  and  suffered  till  they 
had  well-nigh  spent  their  all  in  serving  their  fathers  and 
grandfathers,  while  yet  they  lived  in  their  cabins,  with 
earthen  or  slab  floors,  and  clapboard  doors,  without  win- 
dows, and  say  if  they  ought  not  to  blush  a  little. 

"But  others  there  were  that  bore  it  more  lightly.  They 
saw  the  land  that  it  was  good;  and  rest,  with  a  compe- 
tency in  old  age,  was  desirable;  so  they  located,  bowed 
the  shoulder  to  bear  and  become  servants  to  tribute;  and 
I  have  seen  many  of  these  dear  men,  with  the  strength  of 
Issachar,  crouching  between  two  burdens:  some  as  states- 
men, some  as  lawyers,  some  as  doctors,  some  as  mer- 
chants, some  as  tillers  of  the  earth.     Well,  dear  men,  in 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  Qtrw.  223 

my  heart  I  love  them;  but,  0,  what  an  amount  of  first- 
rate  ministerial  talenl  lias  been,  in  a  great  measure,  lost 
to  the  Church  and  to  the  world!  Well,  the  Judge  of  all 
the  earth  will  do  right  in  reckoning  with  his  servants. 
But  there  wcr«'  others  who  held  on  the  even  tenor  of  their 
way  in  the  midst  of  all  the  discouragements,  in  view  of 
which  so  many  of  their  brethren  had  quailed,  shrunk,  and 
finally  gave  up,  and  left  the  tit-ltl.  They  held  on,  and  on, 
till  they  sunk  at  their  post  shouting  victory  in  death.  Sale 
is  gone,  Parker  is  grone,  Cummins  is  gone,  Griffith  is  £>one, 
Crume  is  gone,  and  Ellis,  with  many  more,  are  gone;  but 
their  widows — 0,  great  Head  of  the  Church,  be  their 
head! — yet  remain.  0,  ye  sons  and  daughters  of  these 
men  of  God,  let  one  of  the  few  surviving  friends  of  your 
fathers  say  to  you,  as  old  father  Chieuvrant  did  to  his  sons 
and  daughters,  'Remember  that  your  father  was  a  Method- 
ist minister,'  and  follow  them  as  they  followed  Christ.  As 
to  the  lew  that  yet  remain,  they  must  soon  go  out  of  sight, 
and  out  of  hearing.  But  behold  a  troop  cometh;  and  in 
this  tro<>])  are  found  not  only  the  mechanic  and  farmer,  but 
the  graduates  of  many  literary  institutions,  also  professional 
men,  as  lawyers,  and  doctors,  and  statesmen;  and  here,  too, 
are  the  ministers  of  other  Churches.  These  last  have  said, 
'We  wiil  go  with  you,  for  we  have  heard  that  God  is  with 
you.'  But,  dear  brethren,  this  pleasant  and  fruitful  Held 
is  too  small  to  furnish  employment  for  you  all.  What 
shall  we  do?  Divide  and  subdivide,  and  run  down  to 
locality?  No,  no!  Some  of  the  old  people  say,  there  is 
less  family  visiting  nowadays  than  there  was  twenty  or 
thirty  years  ago — that  the  preachers  have  too  much  leisure 
time  on  their  circuits,  unless  they  spend  it  in  pastoral 
work,  rather  than  in  rest  at  home,  or  in  attending  to  their 
own  private  concerns.  Such  has  been  the  change,  that 
whereas  we  used  to  cry,  '0,  for  more  laborers,'  we  now 
say,    '0,   for  more   work!      The    place   is  too  strait;  0, 


224  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

Lord,  enlarge  our  coasts.'  Well,  a  remedy  is  at  hand — 
the  prayer  for  enlargement  is  already  answered.  Hear 
you  not  the  Macedonian  cry?  It  is  true,  brother  W.,*  from 
the  far,  far  west,  says,  'Refuse  talents  will  not  do  here.'  I 
wish  he  had  thought  of  a  better  word,  for  surely  he  knows 
that  we  do  not  keep  that  article  on  hand,  and  have  another 
way  to  dispose  of  it,  except  the  small  amount  invested  in 
a  few  poor  old  run-down  fellows,  and  their  places  may 
soon  be  filled  with  hangers-on.  'Well,'  I  know  you  are 
ready  to  respond,  'here  are  we,  send  us;'  and  the  bishops 
may  say — and  the  conferences  will  bear  them  out  in  it — 
'  we  have  talents  here,  and  plenty  of  them,  that,  like  Eng- 
lish guineas,  or  Spanish  mill-dollars,  will  go  any  where  at 
par — sllch  as  brother  W.  himself  will  receive  and  pass. 
Come,  what  say  you?  Would  that  I  were  able  to  go  with 
you;  for  I  would  rather  labor  in  such  a  field  than  be  sta- 
tioned in  the  Queen  City.  I  never  wondered  that  our 
beloved  Ruter  left  the  college,  and  went  to  Texas.  I 
would  rather  wonder  that  the  man  in  whose  soul  the  itin- 
erant fire  burns,  should  leave  the  itinerant  field,  to  be  shut 
up  in  a  college,  or  buried  in  an  office." 

During  this  year  Mr.  Quinn  was  often  invited  to  attend 
laro-e  meetings,  and  he  was  much  inclined,  as  his  health 
and  strength  would  allow,  to  visit  the  Churches,  and  see 
how  they  did.  By  request,  he  visited  a  camp  meeting  near 
Decatur,  in  the  summer  of  1843.  The  meeting  com- 
menced on  Thursday  afternoon;  but  few,  however,  attended, 
on  account  of  the  rain,  till  Friday  evening,  when  many 
collected,  and  amonaf  them  some  of  "the  baser  sort,"  who 
influenced  some  young  men  of  pious  parents  to  associate 
with  them  in  disturbing  the  quiet  and  the  services  of  the 
meeting.  On  Saturday  night  the  wicked  conduct  was  con- 
tinued, with  a  most  annoying  increase,  such  as  yelling 
through  the  surrounding  woods,  removing  and  hiding  sad- 
*  A  writer  in  the  Western  Christian  Advocate. 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN".  225 

(lit 's,  etc.  On  Sabbath  morning',  the  presiding  elder,  Rev. 
M.  Marlay,  called  on  Mr.  Quinn  to  preach,  and  suggested 
that  he  pay  special  attention  to  those  who  had  been  so 
disorderly  the  nighl  previous,  and  exert  his  influence,  as  an 
aged  minister,  if  possible,  to  reform  them.  Accordingly, 
at  the  right  point  in  the  discourse,  he  addressed  those 
young  men  thus:  "The  most  of  you  know  me;  I  have 
traveled  at  different  periods  through  all  this  region.  I 
have,  likely,  lodged  in  the  houses  of  your  parents;  have, 
perhaps,  dandled  you  on  my  knees,  and,  it  may  be,  dedi- 
cated you  to  God  in  holy  baptism.  Some  of  you  have 
parents  now  in  heaven,  who  long  prayed  for  you  on  earth, 
and  are  now  "where  the  wicked  cease  from  troubling  and 
the  weary  are  at  rest.'  "  He  described  their  conduct,  and 
set  before  them  the  great  crime  of  disturbing  the  peace 
and  devotions  of  a  congregation,  assembled,  under  the 
protection  of  civil  law,  to  worship  the  great  God  of  the 
universe.  They  had  not  only  violated  the  laws  of  the 
land,  but  had  sinned  against  God  and  his  people.  The 
picture  drawn  and  light  reflected  by  the  reasoning  of  the 
speaker,  enabled  the  offenders  to  see  the  heinous  nature  of 
their  sin,  and  the  enormous  amount  of  guilt  they  had 
accumulated.  He  next  reproved,  and  "rebuked  with  all 
authority."  Then  he  admonished  them  of  the  terrible 
consequences  of  such  a  course,  and,  with  a  great  deal  of 
affection  and  pathos,  exhorted  them  to  reform.  Said  he, . 
"I  am  now  an  old  man,  rapidly  descending  to  the  grave, 
and  may  be  addressing  you  for  the  last  time.  If  you  have 
any  respect  for  me,  or  the  sacred  cause  of  religion,  which 
I  advocate;  if  you  have  any  respect  for  the  ashes  "1"  your 
pious  relatives,  or  esteem  for  your  pious  friends  who  are 
living;  if  you  have  any  regard  for  your  own  eternal 
interest,  or  respect  for  yourselves,  1  pray  you  never  to  be 
guilty  of  such  conduct  again;  but  repent  of  all  your  sins, 
and  pray  God  to  pardon  you." 


226  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

He  continued  his  address  to  those  young  men  with  great 
tenderness,  till  tears  rolled  down  his  furrowed  cheeks; 
pious  parents  trembled  and  wept;  and  I  am  informed  by 
one  who  was  present,  and  seems  to  have  a  most  vivid  recol- 
lection of  all  the  scene  as  it  is  here  described,  that  he  never 
saw  a  more  general  weeping  in  any  congregation.  Even 
the  offenders  could  not  restrain  their  tears,  under  the 
affectionate  lecture  of  the  venerable  servant  of  God. 
There  was  no  more  bad  conduct  known  upon  the  ground, 
and  the  meeting  resulted  in  the  rescue  of  many  souls  from 
the  empire  of  darkness,  who  were  embraced  in  the  bright 
rolls  of  salvation. 

Mr.  Quinn  seldom  ever  allowed  any  misbehavior  in  his 
congregation  to  pass  unrebuked.  His  reproofs  were  always 
plain  and  pointed,  and  sometimes  terrible  and  withering. 
One  Sabbath  morning,  in  his  charge,  while  offering  up  the 
opening  prayer,  he  happened  to  observe  very  unbecoming 
and  irreverent  behavior  in  a  young  female.  Eising  from 
his  knees,  he  adverted  to  the  solemn  reverence  and  deco- 
rum which  should  characterize  all  professed  worshipers  of 
the  great  Jehovah,  in  his  house,  and  mentioned  the  de- 
parture therefrom  in  the  bad  conduct  he  had  witnessed 
while  they  were  engaged  in  the  solemn  service  of  prayer. 
"I  think  it  my  duty,"  said  he,  "to  bring  this  case  to  your 
notice,  the  admonitions  and  reproofs  heretofore  given  hav- 
ing failed  to  produce  any  reformation.  I  wish  the  congre- 
gation to  know  who  is  the  offender,"  at  the  same  time 
looking  and  pointing  in  that  direction;  "it  is  that  young- 
woman  with  a  leghorn  bonnet  and  artificials,  who  sits  on 
the  second  seat  beyond  the  stove,  and  adjoining  the  parti- 
tion in  the  seats.  I  point  her  out  thus  publicly,  as  a  warn- 
ing to  other  transgressors." 

There  are  some  persons,  forgetting  that  God  sees  them, 
and  supposing  the  preacher's  eyes  are  closed  while  talking 
with  the  Most  High,  who  take  the  advantage  in  time  of 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  227 

prayer  to  misbehave  in  the  house  of  God,  to  the  great 
annoyance  of  serious  worshipers  near  them.  This  must  be 
a  sin  of  greal  turpitude,  and,  surely,  all  who  have  the  fear 

of  God  before  their  eyes  will  agree  that  such  persons 
ought  to  be  '•  relinked  openly,  that  others  may  fear." 

In  regard  to  minor  offenses,  and  inadvertences  of  persons 
Mr.  Quinn  associated  with,  he  was  remarkably  tender  and 
affectionate  in  their  correction.  He  was  often  successful  in 
restoring  the  wanderer,  who  had  been  "overtaken  in  a 
fault."  He  failed,  however,  sometimes,  as  in  one  case 
related  to  the  writer  by  the  venerable  Dr.  M'Dowell,  as 
follows:  A  man  who  had  contracted  the  unfortunate  habit 
of  exaggerating  almost  every  thing  he  talked  about,  when 
Mr.  Quinn  gravely  reproved  him  for  his  sin,  replied,  "I 
admit  that  is  my  besetting  sin,  have  often  lamented 
it,  and  have  shed  barrels  of  tears  on  account  of  it." 
"There,"  said  the  faithful  pastor,  "that  is  the  very  thing 
I  am  charging  you  with,  and  reproving  you  for,  and  you 
have  at  this  moment  offended  in  exaggerating  the  amount 
of  tears  shed  for  your  fault."  He  then  renewed  his  effort; 
but,  perhaps,  to  little  purpose.  Persons  should  guard 
against  this  bad  habit,  as  they  would  against  downright 
Iving. 

In  the  fall  of  1839  Mr.  Quinn  says  he  passed  through 
the  first  volume  of  Doctor  Bangs'  History  in  two  days, 
beside  riding  about  forty  miles,  preaching  twice,  and  meet- 
ing class  as  often,  and  then  adds: 

"I  was  greatly  interested  in  the  account  of  the  meeting 
of  Mr.  Asbury  and  Mr.  O'Kelley,  given  in  volume  first, 
page  355,  which  occurred  in  Winchester,  Va. — not  Man- 
chester— as  I  was  witness,  in  part,  of  what  then  and  there 
took  place.  The  Bishop's  appointment  had  been  out  for 
some  weeks;  in  the  mean  time  it  was  announced  that  Mr. 
0.  would  be  there  at  the  same  time,  to  hold  meetings  for 
several  days.     The  Presbyterian  meeting-house  had  been 


228  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

procured  for  his  use.  He  commenced  on  Friday  evening, 
and  I  had  the  privilege  of  being  one  of  his  hearers.  He 
stood  up;  his  personal  appearance  was  noble  and  dignified; 
he  commenced;  his  voice  fixed  the  silent  and  solemn  atten- 
tion of  all  present.  After  singing  and  prayer,  he  read  for 
his  text,  'I  shall  be  satisfied  when  I  awake  with  thy  like- 
ness,' (Psalms.)  He  first  proceeded  to  show  that  in  the 
likeness,  or  image  of  God,  consisted  the  dignity  and  hap- 
piness of  man,  in  his  primeval  state;  2.  That  from  this  dig- 
nified and  happy  state  man  had  fallen;  and  hence  human 
wretchedness  in  all  its  varied  forms — nothing  found  in  all 
creation  to  satisfy  the  immortal  mind,  while  exiled  from  its 
God;  3.  That  through  the  incarnation  and  atonement  of  the 
Savior,  provision  was  made  for  man's  recovery;  so  thai,  in 
the  evangelical  process  of  illumination,  justification,  adop- 
tion, and  sanctification — implying  a  change  in  the  whole 
man — the  old  man,  with  his  deeds,  was  put  off,  and  the 
new  man — which,  after  God,  is  created  in  righteousness 
and  true  holiness — put  on,  and  God  is  all  in  all;  and  now 
the  soul  rests  in  God,  nor  seeks  for  other  good.  It  was  a 
good  sermon.  I  made  no  notes,  but  recollect  the  sub- 
stance distinctly.  He  was  to  preach  the  next  day;  and  on 
the  Sabbath  was  to  preach  and  administer  the  ordinances. 
Sunday  came,  and  on  his  way  to,  or  at  the  church,  he  was 
suddenly  and  violently  attacked  with — I  think — cholera 
morbus;  so  that  he  had  to  retire  immediately  to  his  lodg- 
ings, where,  for  some  hours,  his  life  was  thought  to  be  in 
great  danger.  When  this  came  to  Mr.  Asbury's  ears,  he 
became  evidently  interested,  and  gave  evidence,  both  by 
words  and  looks,  that  he  felt  strong  emotions,  of  the 
benevolent  kind.  'Dear  old  man!  no  doubt  it  is  occa- 
sioned by  the  highly-impregnated  limestone  water,  to 
which  he  has  not  been  used.  It  may  cost  him  his  life.' 
In  the  family  and  in  the  church,  he  prayed  most  fervently 
for  him,  styling  him  '  thy  aged  servant.'     After  we  returned 


1 .11  K  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  Ql  INN.  229 

from  church  to  the  house  of  brother  Reed,  al  whose  house 
the  Bishop  lodged,  Baid  he  to  brothers  Reed  and  Walls — 
nol  Wells — 'J  am  concerned  for  Mr.  O'Kelley.  Go  and 
offer  your  attentions  in  any  and  every  thing  that  may  tend 
to  his  comfort;  and  say  to  him  that  1  am  here,  and  willing 
to  Bee  him.'  They  went,  and  returned  with  a  request  that 
the  Bishop  would  make  a  visit  to  him.  The  Bishop 
preached  twice  on  Sunday,  with  an  unction  from  above, 
while  many  felt  that  God  was  with  him.  It  was  a  day  not 
soon  to  be  forgotten.  On  Monday  morning  Mr.  Asbury, 
taking  with  him  Edward  Matthews — of  the  Baltimore  con- 
ference— repaired  to  Mr.  O.'s  lodgings,  while  1  went  to 
make  arrangements  to  accompany  the  Bishop  on  his  way 
to  Stevensburg.  The  interview  took  place,  which — as 
brother  Matthews  informed  me — was  of  a  most  interesting 
character.  From  the  tones  of  voice,  the  expression  of 
countenance,  etc.,  there  appeared  a  yielding,  yet  there  was 
evidently  caution  and  reserve.  Mr.  A.  prayed  most 
admirably.  A  lew  brief  sentences  embraced  the  history 
of  the  past;  then  the  present  meeting  as  providential;  the 
late  affliction  a  mark  of  fatherly  chastening;  thanks  for 
prospects  of  recovery;  petition  that  life  and  usefulness 
might  be  prolonged.  They  then  took  the  parting  hand, 
Mr.  A.  sending  his  friendly  and  Christian  greetings  to  Mrs. 
O'Kelley.  Of  this  lady  the  Bishop  remarked  afterward, 
'  She  was  an  excellent  woman,  but  of  a  very  different  tem- 
perament from  her  husband;  if  he  was  stern,  she  was  yield- 
ing— if  he  was  salt,  she  was  sugar.'  I  was  with  the  Bishop 
for  several  days,  but  heard  not  an  unkind  word  of  Mr.  O. 
Once  he  observed,  'In  the  course  which  I  have  pursued, 
my  motives  have  often  been  impugned,  and  sometimes  by 
good  men;  but  my  record  is  on  high.'  O,  what  a  man  of 
God  was  he!" 

It  will  be    recollected   by   all    acquainted  with    the   his- 
tory of   the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  that,  previous  to 

20 


230  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

the  General  conference  of  November,  1792,  Mr.  O'Kelley, 
and  other  traveling  preachers,  had  objected  to  the  power 
of  the  Episcopacy.  Dr.  Coke  presided  at  this  session  of 
the  General  conference,  which  was  held  in  Baltimore.  Mr. 
Asbury  said,  in  a  note  to  the  conference,  "I  am  happily 
excused  from  assisting  to  make  laws  by  which  myself  am 
to  be  governed:  I  have  only  to  obey  and  execute." 

Mr.  O'Kelley  brought  forward  the  following  resolution: 

"After  the  bishop  appoints  the  preachers  at  the  confer- 
ence to  their  several  circuits,  if  any  one  think  himself  in- 
jured by  the  appointment,  he  shall  have  liberty  to  appeal 
to  the  conference  and  state  his  objections;  and  if  the  con- 
ference approve  his  objections,  the  bishop  shall  appoint 
him  to  another  circuit."     (Dr.  Bangs'  History.) 

The  debate  on  this  resolution  lasted  for  about  three 
days,  and  elicited  great  strength  of  argument  on  both 
sides;  but  it  failed,  there  being  a  large  majority  against  it. 
This  gave  great  offense  to  the  mover  and  his  friends,  and 
he  sent  a  letter  to  the  conference  the  next  morning,  stating 
that,  as  his  appeal  was  rejected,  he  could  no  longer  hold 
his  seat  among  them.  To  remove  his  objections,  and 
reconcile  him  to  the  action  of  a  majority,  the  conference 
appointed  a  committee  to  confer  with  Mr.  O'Kelley  and  his 
partisans;  but  their  efforts  were  ineffectual,  and  they  with- 
drew from  the  Church. 

Mr.  O'Kelley  was  a  very  popular  minister;  and  having 
long  been  presiding  elder  in  Virginia  and  North  Carolina, 
he  had  acquired  considerable  influence  in  those  states. 
He  and  his  adherents  finally  organized  themselves  under 
the  popular  name  of  "Republican  Methodists"  These 
were  some  of  the  circumstances  which  rendered  the  inter- 
view between  Mr.  Asbury  and  Mr.  O'Kelley  of  so  much 
interest  to  the  ministry  and  membership  of  the  Church  in 
1802. 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  231 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

Depression  relieved  by  the  courtesies  of  the  people — Letter  to 
Mr.  Fowbh — Es  superannuated — Embarrassing  relation — Some  in  it 
have  lini  been  treated  kindly — Be  shared  much  attention — Death 
of  his  brother  [saac — Letter  to  his  brother  Matthew — Shows  the 
place  selected  for  his  burial — The  General  conference  of  1844 — 
Greatly  affected  by  its  sayings  and  doings — Attends  conference  at 
Marietta — Calling  t he  superannuated  List  —  An  affecting  scene — Ad- 
dresses  the  conferenci — Is  approved  by  his  brethren — Trusts  alone 
in  Chrisl — Admits  himself  worn  oul — Fielded  to  the  relation  be- 
cause  he  could  hold  out  no  more — Retrospects  thepasl — Contrasts 
it  with  the  present — A  reed  shaken  with  the  wind — Afflicted  in 
anticipation  of  the  division  of  the  Church — Save  the  union — Let 
not  the  living  child  be  cut  asunder — Take  care  of  the  widows  and 
orphans — Reminiscences  of  Cincinnati — The  conference — Bishop 
Asbury — Lines  on  a  lock  of  his  hair — Xote  from  Mrs.  C. 

Although  Mr.  Quinn  suffered  some  depression  of  spirit 
in  his  supernumerary  relation,  yet,  as  he  was  welcomed  and 
encouraged  by  the  people  at  the  various  meetings  he  at- 
tended, and  wherever  he  visited,  as  one  greatly  endeared 
to  them,  he,  no  doubt,  passed  the  year  with  a  good  degree 
of  satisfaction. 

The  following  extract  is  taken  from  a  letter  addressed  to 
Ue\.  John  W.  Fowble,  once  his  son-in-law.  Mr.  Fowble 
received  many  rich  communications  from  him;  but,  he  in- 
forms me,  in  his  frequent  removals  they  have  nearly  all 
been  lost. 

"At  Home,  Januarrj  24,  1843. 

"  Dear  Son, — Such  I  hold  you,  and  as  such  I  esteem  you. 
Although  I  have  been  tardy  in  writing  to  you,  yet  you  are 
often  in  my  thoughts,  and  are  always  included  in  my 
morning  and  evening  approaches  to  the  sprinkled  throne. 
0,  may  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  bless  you  abundantly 
in  the  great  work  to  which,  1  trust,  he  hath  called  yon, 
upon  which  yon  have  entered,  and  in  which  you  are  now 
engaged!  and  may  you  never  lose  sight  of  its  importance, 


232  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

and  the  high  and  awful  responsibility  connected  with  it! 
'It  mio-ht  fill  an  angel's  heart;  it  filled  a  Savior's  hands.' 
An  apostle  said,  'Who  is  sufficient  for  these  things?'  but 
adds,  '  Our  sufficiency  is  of  the  Lord.'  Go,  then,  my  son, 
in  the  strength  of  the  Lord,  and  in  the  power  of  his  might, 
and,  hiding  yourself  behind  the  cross,  preach  Christ  cru- 
cified, and  make  mention  of  his  righteousness — of  his  only. 
Some  men  are  esteemed  great  who  are  not  very  good,  and 
some  are  truly  great  because  they  are  truly  good.  God 
grant  that  you  may  be  '  a  good  minister  of  Jesus  Christ!' 
You  have  a  course  of  study,  and  the  books  you  are  to  read, 
pointed  out — all  very  well;  but  the  disciplinary  plan  is  still 
good,  if  not  the  best,  to  convince,  to  offer  Christ,  to  build 
up,  and  to  do  this  more  or  less  in  every  sermon;  to  preach 
Christ,  in  his  offices — prophet,  priest,  king;  his  law  as  well 
as  his  Gospel,  both  to  believers  and  unbelievers.  Said 
Wesley,  '  The  Methodists  must  stick  close  to  their  doc- 
trines, their  experience,  their  morals,  and  Discipline.  If 
they  dwell  on  their  doctrines  only,  they  will  make  their 
people  Antinomians;  if  mainly  on  their  experience,  they 
will  make  their  people  enthusiasts;  if  on  their  morals,  apart 
from  their  doctrines  and  experience,  they  will  make  their 
people  Pharisees  and  hypocrites.'  Then  keep  all  together; 
for  God,  in  his  word,  hath  joined  them  together;  and  let 
no  man  put  them  asunder. 

"We  were  greatly  disappointed  in  not  receiving  a  visit 
from  you  last  fall;  but  suppose  you  found  it  impracticable. 
Well,  come  when  you  can,  and  as  often  as  you  can,  and 
come  as  to  a  father's  house.  After  having  served  the 
Church  forty-four  years,  I  am  now  being  laid  aside  as  a 
'disabled  pitcher,'  of  little  or  no  use.  XoworJc,  no  support. 
I  do  not  feel  altogether  satisfied;  for  I  still  think  I  could 
do  a  little.  My  health  is  good,  though  my  flesh  and  my 
strength  faileth.  Perhaps,  if  you  would  give  me  the  time 
and  place  of  some  of  your  quarterly  or  camp  meetings,  I 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUI XX.  233 

might  make  you  a  visit  some  time  next  summer;  for  I  can 
yet  ride  twenty  or  thirty  miles  in  a  day,  and  not  feel  much 
tired." 

In  September,  1843,  Mr.  Quins  attended  the  conference 
in  Chilicothe,  much  debilitated,  and  he  and  his  friends 
were  compelled  to  relinquish  the  idea  that  he  would  ever 
be  able  to  do  effective  work.  The  conference  cordially, 
and  with  great  respect  and  affection,  placed  him  on  their 
superannuated  list.  He  had  looked  forward  to  superannu- 
ation with  some  dread  and  repugnance;  but  he  now  acqui- 
esced with  true  Christian  submission.  There  are  several 
reasons  why  this  relation,  which  one  called  "the  starvation 
list,"  is  looked  to  with  reluctance.  A  venerable  member 
of  an  annual  conference,  when  it  was  assigned  to  him, 
thanked  his  brethren  for  their  regard,  sympathy,  and 
intended  kindness,  but  added,  "I  have  long  since  learned 
that  a  superannuated  Methodist  preacher  is  usually  a  much 
more  welcome  guest  in  heaven  than  any  where  on  earth." 
It  sometimes  happens  that  the  aged  minister,  who  has 
worn  himself  out  in  the  service  of  the  Church,  and  in 
laboring  for  the  salvation  of  immortal  souls,  not  only  fails 
to  receive  an  adequate  support  in  old  age,  but  is  treated 
with  cold  neglect  and  disrespect.  There  are  very  few  in 
any  branch  of  the  Christian  Church,  but  will  unite  in  say- 
ing, "  These  things  ought  not  so  to  be;"  and  yet,  in  practice, 
some  will  do  those  verv  things  themselves.     During  the 

JO  o 

four  years  Mr.  Quinn  sustained  this  relation,  he  received 
much  attention  and  respect  from  all  classes  of  the  com- 
munity in  which  he  moved.  And  although,  with  others 
of  the  Ohio  conference  in  the  same  relation,  he  ob- 
tained a  very  scanty  support,  yel  I  must  think  the 
instances  of  his  being  treated  oncourteously  or  unkindly 
w.  re  rery  rare.  And  if  any  who  may  read  this  page  feel 
conscious  that  they  did  thus  treat  him,  I  hope  they  will 
repent,  and  make  amends  for  the  wrong  inflicted,  by 
20* 


234  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

treating  other  worn-out  ministers  more  kindly  in  the 
future. 

He  returned  from  conference,  and  Avas  soon  called  to 
witness  the  death-bed  scene  of  one  that  was  dear  to  his 
heart.  On  the  night  of  the  18th  of  October,  1843,  his 
brother,  Rev.  Isaac  Quinn,  M.  D.,  died,  in  the  sixtieth 
year  of  his  age.  He  was  for  many  years  an  acceptable 
and  useful  itinerant  preacher,  and  labored  and  suffered 
■much  in  this  work.  In  1813  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Whitten,  of  Tazewell  county,  Va.,  and  in  1818  he  received 
a  location.  Having  studied  medicine  he  practiced  in  Vir- 
ginia for  some  time,  and  then  removed  to  Highland  county, 
Ohio,  and  settled  near  his  senior  brother.  He  preached 
much  in  his  local  sphere,  and  was  highly  esteemed  by  the 
people,  both  as  a  minister  and  physician.  His  brother 
looked  to  him  for  counsel,  comfort,  and  support  in  old  age, 
having  no  idea  he  would  outlive  him.  It  appears  the 
Doctor  suffered  more  than  four  weeks  in  his  last  illness. 
His  brother  James,  in  an  obituary,  speaks  of  his  sickness 
and  death  as  follows: 

"During  this  period  he  suffered  indescribable  pain  of 
body,  under  which  the  feeble  flesh  often  cried  out.  He 
also  had  some  mental  conflicts,  yet  still  held  fast  his  trust 
and  hope  in  God  as  the  rock  of  his  salvation.  As  a  hus- 
band, father,  etc.,  he  was  bound  by  many  strong  ties  to 
earth;  and  it  was  necessary,  perhaps,  that  these  should  be 
untied  or  severed  by  a  severe  process.  This  was  done. 
After  he  had  disposed  of  his  temporal  affairs,  his  mind 
evidently  became  more  tranquil;  but  he  was  too  far  gone 
to  enjoy  the  society  of  his  friends.  He  often,  however,  in 
feeble  and  broken  accents,  expressed  confidence,  trust, 
resignation,  peace,  and  gratitude.  In  this  frame  of  mind — 
as  we  believe — he  calmly  sunk  into  the  cold  embrace  of 
death.  During  the  illness  of  our  dear  brother  Isaac,  as 
if  to  augment  our  joys  and  sorrows,  our  brother,  the  Rev. 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  235 

M.  H.  Quinn,  an  aged  elder  in  the  Church,  of  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  came  on  a  \isit  to  us;  but,  ah!  thirty  years  of 
time  and  toil  had  made  so  greaJ  a  change  in  our  persons, 
that  the  brothers  could  scarcely  recognize  each  other: 
besides  death  was  doing  his  dreadful  work  on  the  younger. 
The  long-absent  brother  came  in  time  to  mingle  his 
prayers,  his  sighs,  his  tears,  his  sorrows,  and  his  joys 
with  ours,  then  close  the  eyes  of  his  junior  brother,  and 
take  the  parting  hand;  and  so  we  shall  see  his  face  no 
more : 

'When  shall  we  three  meet  again? 
Where  immortal  spirits  reign, 
There  may  we  three  meet  again.'  " 

After  his  brother,  M.  H.  Quinn,  returned  to  Nashville, 
Tenn.,  under  date  of  Nov.  13,  1843,  he  addressed  him 
thus:  "I  continued  very  poorly  for  some  time  after  you 
left,  and  looked  and  felt  more  like  dying  than  living,  but 
then  began  to  recover.  My  distressing  cough  abated,  and 
has  now  almost  left  me.  I  rest  well  at  night,  have  a  good 
appetite,  gain  strength,  but  not  flesh.  My  distressing 
shortness  of  breath  is  gradually  abating.  I  regard  all 
this  as  a  gracious  respite.  0,  that  I  may  so  improve  it, 
that  when  the  summons  comes  I  may  be  ready  to  give  an 
account  of  my  stewardship  with  joy  and  not  with  grief!" 

Mr.  Quinn  never  determined,  till  after  the  death  of  his 
brother,  where  his  mortal  remains  should  lie.  In  October, 
1846,  having  his  company  in  my  barouche  from  Greenfield 
to  his  residence,  when  we  reached  Auburn  Chapel  he 
asked  me  to  pause,  and  said  he  would  show  me  the  spot  of 
ground  he  had  selected  as  his  last  resting-place.  It  was 
near  the  grave  of  his  brother.  I  recollect  my  remark  was, 
"If  I  should  survive  you,  and  pass  this  way,  1  will  stop 
and  look  at  your  tomb,  and  think  of  our  meeting  in 
heaven."  He  responded,  with  a  countenance  and  a  tone 
of  voice  I  can  never  forget,  "J  hope  F  shall  get  there!" 


286  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

The  first  year  Mr.  Quinn  was  superannuated,  the  Gen- 
eral conference  assembled  in  the  city  of  New  York,  May  1, 
1844.  A  short  time  previous  to  this  session  Bishop  An- 
drew had,  by  marriage,  become  the  owner  of  some  slaves 
in  the  state  of  Georgia.  This  was  adjudged  by  a  majority 
of  the  General  conference  to  be  an  impediment  to  his 
acceptance  and  usefulness  as  one  of  the  itinerant  general 
superintendents  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
that  he  ought  to  desist  from  the  exercise  of  that  office  so 
long  as  the  impediment  remained.  To  this  action  the 
minority  took  exceptions,  and  entered  their  protest.  The 
final  result  was,  the  annual  conferences  generally,  in  the 
slaveholding  states,  elected  delegates,  who  assembled  in 
general  convention  in  Louisville,  Ky.,  May  1,  1845,  and 
separating  from  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  they 
organized  themselves  into  "a  separate  and  distinct  eccle- 
siastical connection,"  denominated  "the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  South."  As  Mr.  Quinn  was  not  a  member  of 
this  memorable  General  conference,  his  biographer  deems 
it  irrelevant  to  take  further  notice  of  its  proceedings.  It 
was,  however,  reasonable  to  suppose  that  Mr.  Quinn  would 
take  a  deep  interest  in  the  discussions  and  doings  of  that 
body,  as  reported  in  the  periodicals  of  the  Church,  of 
Avhich  he  was  a  constant  reader.  His  indescribable  anxiety 
may  be  inferred  from  the  following  extract,  taken  from  a 
letter  addressed  to  his  brother  in  Tennessee,  under  date 
of  June  11,  1844:  "I  weep  over  the  sayings  and  doings 
of  the  General  conference  every  day.  It  may  be  a  light 
thing  with  young  men  of  yesterday,  whether  from  the 
plow-tail  or  the  college,  to  break  up  the  union  and  rend 
the  body  of  Christ;  but  to  those  who  have  spent  their 
sweat  and  blood  to  cultivate  Immanuel's  land,  and  raise 
the  Church  to  what  it  is,  it  is  heart-rending.  An  amicable 
separation  may  be  the  best  thing  that  can  be  done  in  view 
of  all  the  circumstances.     The  Lord  is  kino-  in  Zion,  and 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUIMN.  237 

the  gates  of  hell  shall  not  prevail  against  that  he  hath 
built  on  the  rock  which  he  hath  laid  for  a  foundation. 
Sympathize  with  and  pray  for  your  old  brother,  and  Bend 
him  a  soothing  letter." 

To  the  sanif  In-  writes,  under  date  of  November  3, 
1044,  thus:  "The  days  of  my  pilgrimage  will  soon  be  at 
an  end,  and,  thanks  be  to  God!  I  feel  that  I  have  not 
labored  in  vain,  or  spent  my  strength  for  naught.  But  all 
my  pita  is,  that  the  Savior  died  for  me.  My  trust  is 
thrown  on  Jesus'  name. 

"Great  agitation  in  the  nation  and  in  the  Church;  and 
I  can  not  be  an  uninterested  spectator.  But  what  can  I 
do?  Nothing,  but  look  on  with  an  aching  heart,  and 
sometimes  with  weeping  eyes;  while  I  mentally  and  vocally 
sigh,  and  say,  'Spare  thy  people,  0,  Lord,  and  give  not 
thy  heritage  a  reproach  to  the  adversary.'  I  read  and 
weigh  many  arguments  on  both  sides,  but  slander  and 
defamation — which  appear  to  be  the  order  of  the  day — 
my  heart  hates,  come  from  what  side  they  may.  '  The 
Lord  reigneth;  let  the  earth  be  glad!'  What  though 
clouds  and  darkness  are  round  about  him!  yet  justice  and 
judgment  are  the  habitations  of  his  throne.  Sometimes 
the  Lord  cometh  with  his  fan  in  his  hand  to  purge  his 
floor,  and  sometimes  he  suffers  Satan  to  sift  us  as  wheat. 
Yet  hath  he  founded  Zion,  and  he  will  take  care  of  his 
Church,  so  that  the  gates  of  hell  shall  not  prevail 
against  it." 

At  the  close  of  this  conference  year  we  held  our  annual 
Bession  at  Marietta,  September  4,  1844.  Mr.  Quinn  was 
nt,  and  perhaps  a  little  improved  in  his  condition  of 
health  and  physical  virjor,  though,  much  reduced  in  flesh. 
He  seemed  to  be  literally  wasting  away,  in  the  estimate 
of  those  who  had  not  seen  him  for  a  year.  When  the 
presiding  bishop  commenced  calling  the  names  of  our 
superannuated  brethren  for  examination,  it  was  a  moment 


238  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

of  absorbing  interest.  These  pioneers,  in  the  days  of 
other  years,  preached  the  Gospel  to  the  sparse  population 
of  the  west,  when  their  labors  were  attended  with  incon- 
veniences, privations,  and  hardships,  which  well  deserved 
to  be  reckoned  in  the  category  of  "the  sufferings  of  this 
present  time."  Who  that  has  a  heart  will  not  admire  and 
love  such  men? 

On  the  calling  of  the  names  of  those  present,  the  presi- 
dent very  courteously  inquired  of  each  if  he  wished  to 
say  any  thing  to  the  conference.  I  could  not  describe  the 
feelings  of  the  conference,  or  the  emotions  of  my  own 
heart,  when  those  brethren  arose,  in  the  order  their  names 
were  called,  and  addressed  their  associates  in  labor.  Mr. 
Quinn's  name  was  the  second  called,  and  as  the  writer 
reported  his  address  soon  after  conference  for  the  Western 
Christian  Advocate,  he  inserts  it  in  his  "Life:" 

"Mr.  President, — If  I  could  so  command  my  feelings, 
and  extend  my  voice  as  to  be  heard,  I  would  be  glad  to 
say  a  few  words  to  the  conference;  and  the  more  so,  as  it 
is  very  probable  I  shall  never  again  enjoy  the  privilege  of 
sitting  or  being  heard  in  another  annual  conference.  I  am 
now  truly  a  superannuated  man — a  man  literally  worn, 
out,  and  worn  out  in  the  one  great  work;  for,  ever  since  I 
took  the  vows  of  God  upon  me,  I  have  endeavored  to  be 
a  man  of  one  work.  In  this  one  work  I  have  greatly 
delighted,  being  willing  to  spend  and  be  spent  therein. 
God  hath,  helped  me,  blessed  be  his  holy  name!  and  to 
him  I  would  ascribe  all  the  glory. 

"To  the  question,  'Is  there  any  thing  against  James 
Quinn?'  m}r  brethren  have  kindly  responded  the  forty- 
fourth  time,  'Nothing.*  This  response,  no  doubt,  has  been 
given  in  the  judgment  of  that  charity  which  thinketh  no 
evil,  and  covereth  a  multitude  of  sins,  or  human  infirmi- 
ties. Would  that  I  could  have  always  had  the  same 
response    from   within,  that   my   own    heart   had    never 


LIFE  AND   LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINX.  239 

reproached  me;  that  I  had  so  walked  with  God  as  to  have 
enjoyed  a  eonstanl  sense  of  his  approbation.  Lord,  enter 
not  into  judgment  with  thy  poor  servant,  but  sprinkle  him 
anew  with  pardoning  blood!  I  am  well  aware  that  the 
confidence  and  esteem  of  my  brethren  will  not  give  me  a 
passport  to  heaven.     0,  no: 

'  This  all  my  hope  and  all  my  plea, 
For  me  the  Savior  died.' 

"I  have  never  been,  or  desired  to  be,  associated  with 
any  other  fraternity  but  this;  and  in  this  it  has  been  my 
constant  desire  and  aim  to  maintain  a  fair  standing,  and 
leave  an  unimpaired  reputation  when  I  go  hence.  I  have 
held  the  character  of  my  brethren  in  the  ministry  sacred — 
have  defended  them  as  far  as  I  could  consistently,  and 
have  never  allowed  myself  to  believe  evil  of  them  without 
ample  proof.  They  have  treated  me  very  kindly,  and 
have  shown  me  many  marks  of  respect  and  confidence,  of 
which  I  felt  myself  unworthy,  and  for  which  I  now  feel 
grateful. 

"In  my  younger  days  I  looked  to  the  years  of  super- 
annuation as  a  gloomy  period,  and  shrunk  back  when  I 
saw  those  days  at  hand.  I  have  yielded  to  this  relation 
with  great  reluctance — yielded  because  I  could  hold  out 
no  more.  Indeed,  I  have  not  felt  that  degree  of  resigna- 
tion that  the  case  required,  and  religion  called  for.  I 
love  Zion;  and  for  her  I  would  live,  and  labor,  and  suffer. 
But  why  should  I  be  anxious?  Methodism  lived  before  I 
was,  and  will  live  and  prosper  when  I  shall  be  no  more  on 
earth.  I  have  served  my  generation.  0,  that  that  service 
had  always,  and  in  every  respect,  been  'according  to  the 
will  of  God!' 

"In  the  last  year  of  the  eighteenth  century  [1800]  I 
entered  this  valley  [Muskingum]  as  a  traveling  preacher, 
and  visited  this  place  [Marietta.]  At  that  time  there  was 
not  a  Methodist  meeting-house  in  all  the   north-western 


240  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

territory,  and  but  one  or  two  traveling  preachers  in  all  the 
land.  0,  what  hath  God  wrought!  What  do  my  eyes 
behold?  Now  the  church-going  bell  is  heard  in  cities, 
towns,  and  villages,  not  a  few,  all  over  the  land,  while 
most  country  places  are  furnished  with  comfortable  chap- 
els, whither  the  people  go  forth  by  tens,  yea,  hundreds  of 
thousands,  to  keep  holy  day,  to  hear  the  word  of  life,  to 
drink  from  the  rock,  and  eat  of  the  bread  which  cometh 
down  from  heaven.  0,  bless  the  Lord,  we  have  seen  his 
goings  forth,  and  have  witnessed  the  displays  of  his  power 
and  grace  in  the  salvation  of  many  souls. 

"And  now  here  I  am,  'a  reed  shaken  with  the  wind' — 
a  feeble  old  man,  trembling  as  I  lean  upon  the  top  of  my 
staff;  but  where  am  I?  In  the  midst  of  a  conference  of 
ministers,  near  one  hundred  and  fifty  in  number,  most  of 
whom  have  been  twice  born  since  the  time  of  which  I 
speak:  among  them  are  the  sons,  the  grandsons,  and 
great  grandsons  of  those  who  kindly  received  me,  and  to 
whom  I  ministered  in  their  humble  dwellings.  No  doubt 
I  have  taken  some  of  these  ministers  in  my  arms,  and 
dedicated  them  to  God  in  holy  baptism;  and  on  some  of 
them  I  have  laid  my  hand  in  consecrating  them  to  the 
sacred  office  and  work  of  the  ministry.  0,  why  should 
my  heart  yield  to  fear?  The  Lord  of  hosts  is  with  us, 
the  God  of  Jacob  is  yet  our  help. 

"'For  the  affliction  of  Joseph'  I  have  been  greatly 
afflicted.  My  breast  has  heaved  with  sorrow,  and  my 
eyes  have  run  down  with  tears:  for  the  hurt  of  the  daugh- 
ter of  Zion  am  I  hurt.  0,  'is  there  no  balm  in  Gilead? 
is  there  not  a  Physician  there?'  May  not  the  hurt  of 
the  daughter  of  Zion  yet  be  healed?  Will  the  Lord  give 
his  heritage  a  reproach  to  the  adversary?  Will  he  remove 
our  candlestick?  disperse  us?  and  call  his  people  by 
another  name?  Forbid  it,  thou  great  Head  of  the  Church! 
Now  let  the  Lord's  ministers  '  weep  between  the  porch  and 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  .1  A  Mis  QUTNN.  241 

the  altar;'  and  let  all  the  people  put  on  sackcloth,  and 
mourn.  'When  Ephraim  spake  trembling,  he  exalted  him- 
self in  Israel;  but  when  he  sinned  in  Baal,  he  died.'  Jesh- 
urun  never  kicked  till  he  'waxed  fat.'  Dear  brethren, 
you  have  an  important  part  to  act;  duties  and  responsibili- 
ties devolve  on  you,  which  have  often  made  the  heads  and 
hearts  of  those  who  have  gone  before  you  to  ache,  while 
their  eyes  have  run  down  with  tears.  The  few  that  have 
worn  themselves  out  in  the  work  will  soon  disappear — 
their  faded  forms  and  tremulous  voices  will  soon  be 
and  heard  no  more  among  you;  but  while  we  live  and 
think,  we  will  still  'pray  for  the  peace  of  Jerusalem.'  If 
possible,  save  the  union — sacrifice  every  thing  but  principle 
to  preserve  it;  and  let  not  the  living  child  be  cut  or  torn 
asunder!  What  though  one  side  be  deeply  leprous,  and  the 
other  stricken  with  strange  paroxysms  of  the  mental  or 
nervous  kind,  not  easily  understood  by  M.  D.s,  or  even 
D.  D.s,  yet  are  there  not  proofs  of  spiritual  vitality  in  both 
sides,  sufficient  to  interest  and  call  forth  all  the  energies  of 
all  the  wise  and  good,  to  '  strive  tog<  ther  for  the  unity  of  the 
Spirit  in  the  bonds  of  peace?'  Will  not  brethren  of  both 
sides  cease  to  criminate  and  recriminate,  and  betake  them- 
selves to  prayer  and  fasting,  that  the  Church  may  be  saved 
from  division?     We  hope  they  will. 

"  One  thought  more.  The  number  of  your  widows  and 
orphans  is  still  increasing.  O,  let  not  these  be  neglected! 
Let  not  the  weakest  go  to  the  wall,  in  your  collections  and 
distributions.  Better  let  the  truly  superannuated  suffer, 
than  to  have  the  widow's  sigh  and  orphan's  cry  come  up 
before  the  Lord  against  you;  for  if  you  neglect  those,  who 
will  attend  to  them?  And  now,  dear  brethren,  I  take  my 
leave  of  you,  humbly  asking  an  interest  in  your  prayers; 
and  commending  you  to  God  and  the  word  of  his  grace,  I 
bid  you  an  affectionate  farewell." 

The  conference  continued   his   superannuated  relation, 
21 


242  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

and  he  passed  the  year  similar  to  the  former,  visiting 
quarterly  and  other  meetings,  and  preaching  as  his  health 
would  allow.  He  appeared  to  enjoy  himself  more  com- 
fortably, and  improve  some  in  strength  this  year,  but  not 
in  flesh.  His  aged  friend  and  associate,  Rev.  John  Col- 
lins, passed  away  to  his  reward  in  heaven  this  year.  Mr. 
Quinn  attended  the  conference  at  Cincinnati,  September  3, 
1845,  with  at  least  equal  health  and  strength  that  he 
seemed  to  have  had  the  session  previous.  It  always  gave 
him  special  pleasure  to  meet  with  his  brethren  at  confer- 
ence, and  he  never  was  absent  whenever  it  was  in  his 
power  to  attend  those  annual  meetings.  He  was  once 
well  acquainted  in  Cincinnati,  and  still  had  some  dear 
friends  who  lingered  in  the  city. 

On  his  return  home  from  the  session  in  the  city,  six 
years  before,  he  made  the  following  interesting  commu- 
nication to  the  Western  Christian  Advocate,  which  is 
deemed  appropriate  in  this  place,  and  which  will  doubtless 
afford  special  pleasure  to  the  reader: 

"Time  Flies. — Well,  I  have  just  returned  from  the 
'Queen  City  of  the  West;'  and  0,  what  changes  are  here! 
One  is  ready  to  exclaim,  'Behold!  what  manner  of  stones 
and  buildings  are  here!'  But,  ah!  these  shall  all  be  de- 
molished; for  the  earth  and  the  things  that  are  therein 
shall  be  burnt  up.  Just  nineteen  years  had  rolled  away, 
since  I  had  wound  up  my  ministerial  labors  in  that  city, 
where  I  had  been  actively  employed  for  the  space  of  two 
years;  and  they  were  years  of  great  peace  and  tranquillity 
to  the  Church,  and  great  good  to  my  own  poor  soul.  Here 
the  Lord  began  to  visit  my  family.  At  the  altar  in  the  old 
Stone  Church  my  two  oldest  daughters  were  born  of  God. 
Here,  I  have  reason  to  believe,  God  gave  to  my  dear  wife 
the  blessing  of  perfect  love,  while  meeting  in  band  with 
those  devoted  and  humble  followers  of  Christ,  sisters  L. 
and  L.,  and  D.  and  S.,  of  precious  memory,  now  all  at 


LIFE  AND   LABORS  OF  JAMES  QTINX.  243 

home  in  paradise.     Here,  also,  the  blood-bought  spirit  of 
my  first-born  son  was  taken  to  heaven, 

•  And  found  the  happy  shore, 
He  neither  Boughl  <>r  >a\v  before.' 

"In  vain  I  sought  for  his  gravestone  in  the  old  burying- 
place  behind  Wesley  Chapel.  Well,  Gabriel's  trump  will 
call  to  life  the  sleeping  dust  of  my  sweet  boy,  James  Slay- 
back  Quinn.  The  congregations  in  Wesley  Chapel,  Fourth- 
stn  et,  and  Ninth-street,  crowded  almost  to  overflowing-  by 
day  and  by  night;  but  in  vain  did  I  cast  an  inquiring  eye 
over  the  large  assemblies,  saying,  'Where  are  my  old  and 
much-loved  friends;  are  they  all  gone?'  No,  not  quite; 
for  of  the  six  or  seven  hundred  members,  whom  1  had 
served  for  the  space  of  two  years  publicly,  and  from  house 
to  house,  by  day  and  by  night,  always  carefully,  and  some- 
times with  tears,  I  recognized  a  few;  and  eight  or  nine  ad- 
vanced with  extended  hand,  and  friendly  greetings.  Ah! 
if  the  sweets  of  friendship  terminated  with  the  present 
life,  it  would  be  of  little  worth;  but  soon  that  mysterious 
cement  of  the  soul,  that  sweetener  of  life,  that  solderer  of 
society,  though  it  has  its  commencement  in  time,  shall 
receive  its  consummation  in  eternity;  so  that  we  may  say 
and  sing — 

•  We  shall  not  los;e  our  friends  above, 
But  more  enjoy  them  there.' 

"Had  I  been  called  to  any  of  the  pulpits — even  old 
Fourth-street,  in  which  I  preached  the  first  and  dedicatory 
sermon — I  should  have  been  a  stranger,  unknowing  and 
unknown.  The  most  prominent  and  active  must  soon  pass 
into  the  shades.  Let  the  aged  and  worn  out  indulge  no 
painful  regrets  at  this;  for  David,  having  served  his  own 
ration,  by  the  will  of  God  fell  asleep;  and  those  who 
have  served  forty  years  have  served  out  one  generation. 

"But  the  conference;  and  0,  what  changes  are  here! 
Thirty  years  ago  the  Western  conference  held  its  second 


244  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

session  on  this  side  of  the  Ohio,  in  the  then  small  town  of 
Cincinnati.  Mr.  0.  M.  Spencer  furnished  the  conference 
with  a  room  up  stairs  in  his  house,  which  then  stood  far 
out  on  the  commons.  Asbury,  M'Kendree,  and  others, 
now  no  more,  were  there.  Of  those  who  were  there,  only 
Latin,  Burke,  J.  Young,  D.  Young,  and  the  writer,  were 
present  as  members  of  the  late  conference;  and  here  were 
we  associated  with  a  congregation  of  ministers,  almost  two 
hundred  in  number,  most — say  three-fourths — of  whom 
were  unborn  when  we  entered  the  itinerant  field;  we  can 
not  but  exclaim,  'What  hath  God  wrought!'  Well,  dear 
brethren,  you  will  soon  have  the  interests  of  our  beloved 
Zion  in  your  own  hands,  ministerially,  with  a  weight  of 
responsibility  that  has  often  made  the  heads  and  hearts  of 
those  who  have  gone  before  you  to  ache  exceedingly, 
while  they  have  often  exclaimed,  'Who  is  sufficient  for 
these  things?' 

"I  shall  close  this  desultory  scrawl  with  a  reminiscence 
of  Bishop  Asbury.  Said  the  Bishop,  '  The  state  of  the 
preacher's  mind,  in  connection  with  surrounding  circum- 
stances, often  suo-o-ests  the  texts  and  the  method  of  discus- 
sion.  Thus,  when  I  had  offered  for  America,  and  been 
accepted  and  appointed,  taking  leave  of  my  parents,  the 
loving  society,  and  my  native  land,  I  stood  up  and  took 
for  my  text,  Psalm  lxi,  2:  "From  the  end  of  the  earth  will 
I  cry  unto  thee,"  etc.     My  plan: 

"'1.  Where  should  the  missionary  herald  be?  The 
end  of  the  earth. 

"  '2.  And  whose  heart  should  be  overwhelmed,  swal- 
loived  up,  if  not  the  heart  of  him  to  whom  a  dispensation 
of  the  Gospel  is  committed? 

"  '3.  And  whence  should  he  look  for  succor,  but  to 
Christ,  the  rock  that  is  higher  than  he? 

"  '4.  How  should  he  obtain  that  succor,  but  by  con- 
stant, fervent  prayer? 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMKS  QUINN.  245 

"  'Ah!'  said  the  good  Bishop,  as  we  rode  along,  'this 
might  not  have  been  of  high  interest  to  the  hearers,  but  it 
has  been  of  vast  interest  and  importance  to  the  speaker; 
for  often  lias  my  hearl  been  overwhelmed  during  my  forty 
years'  pilgrimage  in  America.  And  if  I  had  been  a  man 
of  tears,  I  might  have  wep4  my  Life  away;  but  Christ  lias 
been  a  hiding-place,  a  covert  from  the  stormy  blast;  yea, 
In'  has  been  the  shadow  of  a  great  rock  in  a  weary  Land.' 
11  tie  the  Bishop's  voice  trembled  a  little — his  lip  quiv- 
ered— I  looked,  and  the  tear  had  started  from  his  half- 
closed,  clear,  blue  eye.  But  presently  he  was  gay;  'for,' 
said  he,  '  if  I  were  not  sometimes  to  be  gay  with  my 
friends,  I  should  have  died  in  gloom  long  ago: 

'  "  Give  me  to  feel  the  grateful  heart, 
And  without  guilt  be  gay."  ' 

"So  be  it." 

The  following  lines  were  composed  by  Dr.  William  H. 
Hollings worth,  on  seeing  a  lock  of  hair  taken  from  the 
reverend  man's  head  twenty-five  years  after  he  had  joined 
in  marriage  his  parents,  and  nearly  twenty-three  years 
after  he  dedicated  him  to  God  in  baptism.  The  hair 
accompanies  these  lines  in  a  book  owned  by  the  mother  of 
the  author,  immediately  under  the  name,  "Rev.  James 
Quinn:" 

"  Aged  one,  these  silvered  locks, 
That  strew  thy  temples  o'er, 
Tell  plainly  that  the  watchman  knocks — 
That  death  is  at  the  door. 

Soon  thy  career  of  trust  and  love, 

Of  labor  and  of  care 
Shall  close,  and  thou  shalt  move, 

A  spirit  pure  and  fair. 

Soon  shall  thy  Last  ltoixI  act  be  done, 

Thy  last  lt« >< »« 1  word  be  said: 
Soon  thou  shah  have  the  laurels  won, 

That  crown  the  righteous  dead. 
21* 


246  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

When  thou  art  gone,  thy  name  shall  lire, 

Thy  memory  dear  to  all, 
And  those  that  know  thee  now  will  grieve 

In  sorrow  round  thy  pall. 

Yet  may  thy  days  be  lengthened  out, 

And  blessings  rich  be  given; 
And,  conquering  death,  loud  victory  shout, 

A  victory  gained  in  heaven!" 

With  these  lines  the  following  note  was  received  from 
the  mother  of  Doctor  Hollingsworth,  now  the  wife  of  Rev. 
Z.  Connell: 

"I  furnish  you  with  a  copy  of  the  lines  accompanying 
the  lock  of  hair,  which  I  was  kindly  permitted  to  take 
from  the  head  of  Rev.  James  Quinn,  the  last  time  I  had 
the  privilege  of  seeing  him.  The  hair  is  placed  in  the 
midst  of  many,  to  me,  precious  mementos.  When  I  look 
upon  this  'silvered  lock,'  the  sunny  days  of  my  life  appear 
before  me  in  all  their  vividness.  Indeed,  a  whole  life  of 
many  vicissitudes  rushes  upon  my  recollections.  And 
now  that  his  sainted  spirit  has  joined  many  of  my  dear 
friends  who  rest  from  their  sorrows,  I  am  reminded  of  the 
future  as  wTell  as  the  past.  Brother  Quinn  was  one  of  the 
most  Scriptural,  plain,  and  pointed  preachers.  '  Christ 
crucified'  was  his  theme.  His  voice  was  full  of  sweetest 
melody.  In  his  younger  days  he  was  a  sweet  singer. 
He  was  a  great  lover  of  good  poetry;  he  quoted  much, 
and  with  great  accuracy  and  force. 

"Ripley,  February  9,  1848." 


LIFK   AND   LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  247 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

His  disposition  to  honor  the  good  and  useful — What  is  said  of 
the  pious  dead  mav  do  the  living  good — The  Ellsworth  family — 
Many  reminiscences  connected  therewith — Always  was  a  friend  to 
temperance — Letter  to  Rev.  John  G.  Bruce,  embracing  main  re  of 
greal  interest — Second  letter  to  the  same — Plan  of  Philip  Henry — 
Pleasantry  inward  southern  writers — Prefatory  remarks  to  a  let- 
ter to  Professor  Merrick — Ts  m>t  to  be  Buspected  of  opposition  to 
sound  learning — Learning  should  be  the  handmaid,  and  do!  assume 
to  take  the  place  of  the  mistress, religion — Defends  the  plain,  com- 
mon-sense preaching  of  the  old  Methodist  preachers — The  revival 
in  Wesley's  day  was  chiefly  through  the  instrumentality  of  an  un- 
educated ministry — Dec  lines  giving  Bishop  Asbury's  Bible — Was 
never  connected  with  any  literary  institution — Was  a  kind  of 
president  of  "Brush  College" — His  connection  with  Mr.  Wesley  in 
orders — His  health — Prospects  of  an  enduring  substance — Letter 
to  the  writer — Letter  to  J.  W.  Fowble — Many  items  of  great  inter- 
est— Attends  the  conference  at  Piqua — Address  to  his  brethren — 
Collection  raised  for  his  benefit — Presented  by  Bev.  G.  W.  Walker 
with  an  address — His  response — A  skeleton  of  one  of  his  sermons. 

Mr.  Quinn  had  a  heart  formed  for  friendship;  and  he 
loved  his  friends,  and  the  friends  of  Christ  and  his  cause, 
with  a  full  soul,  fervently.  He  has  made  honorable  men- 
tion of  many  distinguished  and  useful  individuals,  both  in 
the  ministry  and  membership  of  the  Church  of  his  early 
association.  He  inclined  to  give  honor  to  whom  he  believed 
honor  was  due.  Thousands  may  read  the  names  of  their 
ancestors  in  this  book,  in  connection  with  the  best  of  all 
causes.  And  w^lio  can  tell  but  the  remembrance  of  those 
whose  names  are  still  dear,  and  the  report  of  their 
godly  example  and  holy  zeal  for  God  and  his  cause,  may 
lead  many  of  their  descendants  to  genuine  repentance, 
and  a  humble  trust  in  Christ  for  salvation?  How  insig- 
nificant  must  the  monuments  of  earth,  or  the  honor  be- 
stowed by  the  best  of  men  in  the  page  of  history,  appear 
in  the  estimate  of  those  who  have  passed  away  to  their 


248  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

heavenly  and  unfading  inheritance!  Their  names  are 
chronicled  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life,  and  they  possess 
the  imperishable  glories  of  the  kingdom  above. 

The  following  reminiscences  of  the  Ellsworth  family 
and  others,  written  by  Mr.  Quinn,  are  deemed  worthy  of  a 
permanent  record  in  his  "Life:" 

"In  every  age  of  the  Church  there  have  been  persons 
of  sterling  worth,  not  only  in  the  ministry,  but  also  in  the 
membership,  who,  in  their  day,  were  pillars  in  the  house, 
or  temple,  or  Church  of  Christ — who,  devoting  themselves 
to  the  service  of  God,  exerted  all  their  energies  in  pro- 
moting the  interests  of  Christ's  kingdom  in  the  world;  and 
truly  their  labor  has  not  been  in  vain  in  the  Lord.  But 
their  names  have  not  always  been  so  recorded  on  earth  as 
to  carry  them  beyond  the  immediate  circle  of  their  opera- 
tions, or  give  them  to  posterity:  they  are  soon  forgotten 
among  men;  but  their  record  is  on  high,  and  Christ  will 
own  and  honor  them  before  his  Father's  face.  The  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  from  the  beginning,  has  had,  and 
still  has,  as  many  pillars  in  the  membership  as  any  other 
Church  of  my  acquaintance;  and  has  profited  as  much  by 
their  services;  for  in  her  economy  she  has  places  and 
employment  for  all  the  moral,  mental,  and  gracious  capa- 
bilities of  her  entire  membership;  and  as  many  as  are 
qualified  for  pillars  will  soon  find  their  place,  their  duty, 
and  responsibility.  As  my  itinerancy  in  the  (Country  west 
of  the  Alleghany  Mountains,  for  forty  years,  has  given  me 
an  opportunity  of  a  personal  acquaintance  with  many  of 
those  valuable  men,  who  were  both  pioneers  and  pillars 
in  the  Church,  I  have  thought  I  might,  with  propriety, 
record  the  names  and  worth  of  a  few  of  them,  in  addition 
to  a  few  that  have  been  already  noticed,  as  John  Foster, 
White  Brown,  Joseph  Cooper,  Jacob  Holmes,  and  others. 
I  now  propose  to  give  some  account  of  the  Ellsworth  fam- 
ily in  their  generations. 


LIFE   AND   LABOKS  OF  JAMBS   0,1  INN.  249 

"In  the  year  1799  1  betaine  acquainted  with  Moses 
Ellsworth,  the  pious  patriarch  of  this  extensive,  piou&  and 
amiable  family.  He  was  of  English  descent.  His  pious 
wife  was  a  German.  They  often  used  the  German  tongue 
in  conversation.  Tliis  led  me  to  the  conclusion  that  Mr. 
Ellsworth  himself  was  a  German,  but  this  was  an  error. 
Of  the  time  and  place  of  his  birth  I  am  not  advised;  it 
was  most  probably  in  one  of  the  New  England  states. 
But  he  had  married,  settled,  and  raised  most  of  his  family 
in  Pendleton  county,  Va.;  and  from  thence  removed  to 
Harrison  county,  same  state,  1783,  and  settled  on  the  west 
fork  of  the  Monongahela,  near  Clarksburg.  Here  he 
opened  his  house  to  receive  the  first  Methodist  mission- 
aries, and  his  heart  to  receive  the  Gospel  of  the  grace  of 
God,  which  ultimately  proved  to  be  the  power  of  God  to 
the  salvation  of  his  own  soul,  the  souls  of  his  household, 
and  many  of  his  neighbors.  He  had  four  sons,  Jacob, 
John,  Moses,  and  Aaron.  Aaron  died  in  holy  triumph 
before  my  acquaintance  with  the  family.  The  sons  were 
all  praying  men,  and  heads  of  families.  The  daughters, 
three  or  four  in  number,  were  also  pious,  with  their  hus- 
bands and  some  of  their  children.  When  I  traveled 
Clarksburg  circuit,  in  1799,  there  were  at  least  fifty  of  this 
family  and  connections  members  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  and  they  were  religious  in  earnest;  for  if 
they  sung  loud,  and  shouted  lustily,  they  lived  up  to  their 
profession.  The  old  patriarch  and  his  good  wife  held  on 
the  even  tenor  of  their  way  till  death  came;  but  as  lie 
came  without  a  sting,  they  smiled  and  bid  the  world  adieu. 
I  was  best  acquainted  with  Moses,  the  younger,  the  grand- 
father of  William  1.  and  Jeremiah  Ellsworth,  of  the  Ohio 
conference;  and  a  charming  man  he  was,  and  his  wife  a 
most  amiable  and  pious  woman — her  virgin  name  was 
Bumgarner.  He  was  a  large,  portly  man,  and  very  inter- 
esting in  his  appearance  and  manners;   had  a  charming 


250  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

voice,  and  was  a  most  delightful  singer.  After  the  dis- 
pensation of  camp  meetings  came,  he  had  full  scope  for 
his  talent  in  this  way.  He  often  spent  whole  nights  at 
the  altar  in  singing  and  prayer,  and  many  souls  have  been 
born  of  God  while  Moses  Ellsworth  was  singing  and  pray- 
ing with  them.  It  is  believed  that  he  was  converted  to 
God  under  the  ministry  of  George  Callanhan,  and  no  doubt 
they  have  had  a  most  joyful  meeting  in  paradise.  He 
had  a  strong  and  retentive  memory;  was  a  great  lover  of 
preachers  and  good  preaching;  often  repeated,  with  great 
accuracy,  the  principal  part  of  many  sermons;  had  com- 
mitted scores  of  psalms,  hymns,  and  spiritual  songs;  and 
was  familiar  with  his  Bible.  While  Rev.  Robert  Manley 
labored  on  Clarksburg  circuit,  in  1796,  his  horse  was 
stolen  on  the  west  fork,  and  Moses  Ellsworth,  or  William 
Hacker,  or  both,  went  with  the  preacher  in  pursuit.  They 
overtook  and  brought  back  both  thief  and  horse,  and  gave 
up  the  man  to  the  civil  authorities,  and  he  was  condemned 
to  be  hanged.  O,  murder!  hang  a  man  for  stealing  a 
horse!  Yes,  indeed,  such  were  the  laws  in  the  ancient 
Dominion  in  those  days.  But  the  preacher  and  his  friends 
made  haste,  by  petition  to  the  governor,  and  procured  his 
pardon.  This  man  became  a  great  penitent  to  all  appear- 
ance— used  to  attend  preaching,  and  weep,  and  pray,  and 
wished  to  join  society;  but  the  Methodists  would  not  have 
him.  Why  not?  Did  not  the  Savior  take  a  thief  into  the 
society  of  paradise  on  the  day  of  his  execution?  So 
should  genuine  repentance,  with  the  proper  fruits,  never 
be  rejected.  It  is  testified  of  brother  Ellsworth  that  he 
was  deeply  pious,  that  he  was  uniform  in  the  duties  of 
reading  the  Scriptures,  family  and  private  prayer,  faithful 
in  his  attendance  on  the  ordinances  of  God  and  public 
means  of  grace;  hence  the  light  of  God  abode  in  his 
tabernacle  like  that  of  Obededom,  for  the  ark  of  God  was 
there.      His    pious    wife    and  himself  were    the  favored 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OP  JAMBS  QUINN.  251 

parents  of  three  sons  and  five  daughters,  all  of  whom  be- 
longed to  the  Church,  and  professed  experimental  religion, 
and  some  of  them  have  already  died  in  great  peace.  And 
here  I  wish  to  remark,  in  the  course  of  more  than  forty 
years'  observation,  I  have  seen  religious  and  moral  influ- 
ence living  and  operating  in  some  families,  from  genera- 
tion to  generation,  but  soon  dying  out  of  others,  and 
infidelity  or  profanity  taking  the  place.  This  has  led  me 
at  times  to  search  for  the  cause;  and  here  I  will  say,  1. 
That  those  who  love  the  Gospel,  and,  as  proof  of  their 
love,  uniformly  and  prayerfully  attend  upon  the  ministry 
of  the  word  without  fault-finding;  2.  Pray  for  and  bear 
their  part  in  supporting  those  who  preach  it;  3.  Uni- 
formly read  the  Scriptures,  pray  in  secret  and  in  their 
families — govern  their  tongues  and  tempers — may  be  sure 
that  God  will  be  with  them,  and  that  he  will  not  forsake 
their  families  when  they  are  gone;  for  while  he  only  'visits 
the  iniquity  of  fathers  upon  children  to  the  third  and 
fourth  generation  of  them  that  hate  him,'  he  shows  mercy 
to  thousands  of  them  that  love  him  and  keep  his  com- 
mandments. But  those  whose  love  is  only  in  tongue,  who 
seldom  attend  upon  the  ministry  of  the  word,  and  have 
much  fault  to  find,  seldom  or  never  bear  any  part  in  the 
support  of  the  Gospel,  seldom  read  the  Bible,  never  pray 
in  their  families  or  closets,  and  sleep  or  gossip  away  the 
precious  Sabbath,  with  its  sanctuary  privileges,  need  not 
expect  God  to  be  with  them;  the  light  with  them,  and  in 
them,  will  be  taken  from  them,  and  darkness,  thick,  per- 
petual, eternal  darkness  come  upon  them.  Ichabod!  Icha- 
bod!  the  glory  is  departed!  O,  on  how  many  family 
escutcheons  is  that  fearful  word  written?  Not  so  the 
Ellsworths;  they  loved  and  served  God  in  their  genera- 
tions, scores  are  safe  at  home  in  paradise,  and  hundreds, 
it  is  believed,  are  on  the  way.  Moses  Ellsworth  moved 
from    Harrison,  Va.,  to   Ohio,  in    1805,  and    settled   on 


252  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

Tod's  fork,  near  Clarksville;  but  failing  to  get  a  good  title 
to  his  land,  thence  settled  in  Clark  county,  and  finally 
lived  with  his  eldest  son  Jesse,  father  of  the  preachers, 
near  South  Charleston.  When  such  men  came,  we  rejoiced 
greatly;  for  they  strengthened  our  hands  in  the  Lord. 
The  tide  of  emigration  was  a  perpetual  rush;  and  it 
seemed  at  times  as  if  morality  and  religion,  law  and  Gos- 
pel, were  to  be  borne  down  before  it.  Once  I  was  rejoicing 
over  some  substantial  men — who  had  just  got  out — in  the 
presence  of  Bishop  Asbury.  'Ah!'  said  the  Bishop,  'your 
gain  is  the  loss  of  others.  Illy  could  they  be  spared  where 
they  came  from — societies  almost  ruined;  but  it  is  well  for 
you,  that  while  every  thing  is  drifting  here,  you  should 
have  some  salt  to  preserve  you  from  moral  putrefaction.' 
Mr.  Ellsworth  was  salt,  and  not  that  which  had  lost  its 
savor;  and  never,  till  the  day  of  judgment,  will  it  be 
known  how  much  good  has  been  done  by  modest,  unas- 
suming, yet  unflinching  piety.  A  short  time  before 
brother  Ellsworth's  death,  he  told  his  grandson,  Rev. 
William  I.  Ellsworth,  that  he  had  attended  forty  camp 
meetings,  and  had  been  greatly  blessed,  but  that  he  now 
expected  soon  to  be  at  one  '  where  the  congregations 
never  would  break  up,  and  the  Sabbath  never  end.'  A 
few  hours  before  his  death,  he  requested  his  grandson  to 
read  the  fourteenth  chapter  of  John,  '  Let  not  your  hearts 
be  troubled,  ye  believe  in  God,'  etc.  He  then  had  the 
family  called  together,  gave  them  his  dying  charge  and 
benediction,  then  sung  his  last  song  in  the  German  lan- 
guage— which  he  had  learned  in  youth — then  ensued  a 
few  gentle  gasps,  his  lips  quivered  in  death,  and  the 
'wheels  of  life  stood  still,'  May  5,  1833,  in  the  sixty- 
seventh  year  of  his  age.  He  sleeps  in  Jesus;  but  his  sons 
and  daughters,  grandsons  and  granddaughters,  and  another 
generation  rising  up,  call  him  blessed,  and  bear  his  name 
along  to  future  generations  with  honor  to  his  memory  and 


LIFE   AND    LABORS  OF  JAMES   QTTNN.  253 

to  themselves.     The  name  of  Ellsworth  has  stood  in  con- 
nection with  religion  and  Methodism  in  western  Virginia, 
Ohio,  Indiana,  and  still  farther  west,  for  more  than  fifty 
.     In  five  generations  of  this  numerous  family,  not 

drunkard  has  been  known — as  I  am  informed.  So 
much  for  a  strict  observance  of  our  excellent  rule,  which 
not  only  forbids  drunkenness,  but  drinking-  spirituous — 
intoxicating — liquors,  except  in  cases  of  necessity.  The 
Methodists  wen-  strict  observers  of  this  rule  when  I  first 
became  a  member.  0,  may  the  light  of  God  still  abide 
in  the  tabernacles  of  the  Ellsworths,  and  may  they  bear 
in  mind,  through  all  their  generations,  that  God  hath  said, 
'  They  that  honor  me  will  I  honor,  and  they  that  despise 
me  shall  be  lightly  esteemed.'  " 

Mr.  Quinn  rigidly  adhered  to  the  principles  of  temper- 
ance, and  zealously  exerted  all  his  great  influence  on  every 
suitable  occasion  against  the  opposite.  At  an  early  period 
in  the  history  of  Methodism  in  Ohio,  when  sickness  was 
anticipated  with  almost  equal  certainty  with  August  and 
September,  one  of  his  fellow-laborers  in  the  ministry,  be- 
ing advised  by  a  physician  to  use  some  bitters  preserved 
in  some  kind  of  spirits  as  a  preventive,  carried  a  bottle 
with  him.  This  minister,  meeting  Mr.  Quinn  at  a  camp 
meeting,  explained  to  him  how  the  doctor  had  prescribed 
some  bitters,  and  urged  him  to  use  them  through  the 
sickly  season,  to  prevent  his  being  attacked  with  the  dis- 
eases of  the  country,  and  asked  him  to  drink  some.  Mr. 
Quinn  declined,  and,  looking  his  friend  full  in  the  face,  said, 
with  an  appropriate  tone  of  voice,  "What  an  awful  thing 

it  would  be  if  brother ,  in  using  his  preventive,  should 

acquire  a  relish  for  intoxicating  drinks,  and  finally  die  a 
drunkard!"  The  admonished  brother  threw  away  his 
bottle,  and  near  the  close  of  his  laborious  and  faithful  life 
reminded  Mr.  Quinn  of  the  timely  reproof  which  he  gave 
him,  and  acknowledged  it  as  a  great  kindness. 


254  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

LETTER  TO  REV.  JOHN  G.  BRUCE, 
THEN  STATIONED  AT  GEORGETOWN,  KENTUCKY. 

''Rural  Cottage,  January  13,  1846. 

"Dear  Brother, — I  have  been  rather  tardy  in  respond- 
ing to  your  friendly  letter,  which  came  to  hand  in  due 
time,  with  assurances  of  Christian  affection  and  esteem,  of 
v,  hich  I  feel  myself  unworthy.  Thanks  be  to  God,  that  1 
am  not  cast  off  and  utterly  abandoned  by  those  with 
whom  I  have  long  been  united,  and  in  whose  society  I . 
have  taken  great  delight. 

"As  to  your  uniting  with  'the  southern  organization,' 
you  had  the  right  to  do  so,  and  it  is  not  for  me  to  judge 
another  man's  servant;  to  his  own  master  he  stands  or 
falls.  In  this  case  I  hope  God  will  hold  you  up,  and 
direct  you  in  the  way  in  which  you  may  serve  your  genera- 
tion most  to  his  glory.  I  regret  that  in  that  organization 
Methodist  ministers  should  become  the  most  efficient  agents 
in  perpetuating  that  'great  evil,'  the  curse  and  shame  of 
this  great  republic,  and  the  Church.  Well,  the  Lord,  in 
the  order  of  providence,  appoints  and  ordains  some  things, 
and  suffers  other  things;  yet  so  superintends  and  over- 
rules, that  all  things  work  together  for  good  to  them  that 
love  him.  What  then?  If,  for  the  purification  of  the 
Church,  the  purging  of  his  floor,  he  should  either  come 
with  his  fan  in  his  hand,  or  suffer  Satan  for  a  season  to 
sift  as  wheat,  yet  only  the  chaff  shall  be  driven  away, 
while  the  wheat  shall  be  gathered  and  garnered.  'The 
Lord  hath  founded  Zion,'  and  I  will  still  pray  for  the 
peace  of  Jerusalem;  for  God  hath  said,  'They  shall  pros- 
per that  love  her.'  I  believe  there  are  hundreds,  yea, 
thousands,  in  'the  southern  organization'  who  love  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity.  Grace,  mercy,  and  peace, 
from  God  the  Father,  and  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  be  with 
them!     Amen. 

"You  wish,  yea,  urge  me  much,  to  write  something 


LIFE  AND   LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  255 

that  may  be  read  after  I  am  gone.  Ah!  my  dear  John,  if 
you  could  stand  where  I  stand,  see  as  I  see,  and  know  as 
I  know,  retrospect  and  review  as  I  may,  and  as  I  ought, 
the  privileges  and  responsibilities  of  fifty-four  years  in  the 
membership,  and  forty-seven  in  the  ministry  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  you  would  not  be  as  urgent  as  von 
are  that  1  should  write — you  would  see  but  little  that 
would  interest  or  be  useful  to  posterity.  It  is  true,  I  have 
been  a  man  of  one  business;  I  have  not  laid  up  treasure 
upon  earth;  I  have,  for  the  most  part,  been  poor,  and  yet, 
perhaps,  have  made  some  rich.  My  physical  and  mental 
energies,  and  worldly  substance,  in  great  measure,  have 
been  devoted  to,  and  spent  in  the  cause  of  Methodism, 
which  I  honestly  believed  to  be  the  cause  of  God.  But 
what  of  all  this?  Others  have  done  more,  suffered  more, 
made  greater  sacrifices,  been  more  extensively  useful,  have 
passed  off,  and,  perhaps,  scarce  a  stone  tells  where  their 
bodies  lie.  They  nobly  fought,  and  bravely  fell,  and  fell 
at  their  posts,  covered  with  scars  and  glory,  and  Jehovah 
Jesus  took  care  of  them,  and  their  record  is  on  high.  Is 
not  this  enough?  What  does  the  present  generation  know 
of  the  character,  labors,  sufferings,  and  usefulness  of  the 
holy,  heavenly-minded  Whatcoat,  or  even  the  great  and 
good  Asburv,  except  what  may  be  gathered  from  the 
sketches  in  his  brief  journal?  What  of  M'Kendree, 
and  many,  very  many  others  that  might  be  named,  with 
whom  I  have  had  an  intimate  acquaintance,  and  in  whose 
lives  and  labors  there  was  much  to  interest  and  edify? 
But  they  only  served  their  own  generation,  and  then  fell 
asleep;  and  this  will  do  for  me.  Dr.  Clarke's  friend,  when 
urging  him  to  write,  as  you  and  others  have  been  urging 
m<  .  told  him  'that  there  were  many  waiting  to  write  him 
to  death,  as  soon  as  he  was  dead!'  I  am  in  no  danger 
from  that  quarter,  you  know. 

"Should  any  of  my  sons  in  the  Gospel  wish  to  speak  or 


256  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

write  of  me  when  I  am  gone,  they  can  gather  all,  and 
more  than  all,  that  need  be  said  or  written.  My  where- 
abouts for  more  than  forty  years  may  be  found  in  the 
bound  Minutes,  beginning  with  1799.  To  the  question, 
'Is  there  any  thing  against '?'  the  response  has  uni- 
formly been,  'Nothing.'  I  have  never  been  united  with 
any  other  brotherhood.  The  character  of  a  Methodist 
preacher  I  have  held  sacred,  and  desire  to  leave  with  the 
conference  and  my  family  an  unimpaired  reputation.  My 
traits  of  character  have  been  closely  scanned  and  denned 
in  close  and  confidential  intercourse  with  the  bishops, 
elders,  deacons,  and  members,  in  the  west,  for  more  than 
forty  years.  I  have  written  a  number  of  historical  sketches 
for  the  'Historical  Society,'  in  which  I  have  made  myself 
sufficiently  prominent. 

"In  the  Life  of  Bishop  Roberts  my  name  is  given  as  the 
confidential  friend  and  adviser  of  that  good  man,  on  his 
first  entrance  into  the  ministry,  and  when  he  was  elected 
bishop.  Dr.  Bascom  will  tell  you  that  I  signed  his  first 
license  to  exhort,  procured  his  recommendation,  and 
brought  him  before  the  annual  conference  for  admission, 
etc.  From  these  sources  sufficient  matter  for  an  obituary 
may  be  collected,  and  that  is  enough.  As  to  those  who 
wish  to  live  in  fame,  when  they  shall  be  seen  and  heard 
no  more,  we  may  say,  in  the  language  of  a  British  bard, 

'perchance  some  hackney,  hunger-bitten  scribbler 
May  insult  thy  memory,  or  blot  thy  tomb, 
With  long,  flat  narrative,  or  duller  rhyme.. 
Drawling  along,  enough  to  rouse  a  dead  man  into  rage, 
Or  warm  with  red  resentment  the  wan  cheek.' 

"Upon  the  whole,  beloved  John,  though  we  do  not  wish 
to  be  forgotten,  yet  it  will  be  no  loss  to  posterity,  and  do 
me  no  harm  to  let  my  character  go  out  with  my  name,  and 
remain  under  seal  till  Christ  shall  come." 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMBS  Ql  l  .W  257 

TO  THE  SAME. 

"  Rural  Cottage,  January,  1846. 
"Beloved  John, — As  plans  and  sketches  of  sermons  are 
in  pretty  brisk  demand  in  these  days  of  memorizing,  re- 
peating, and  popular  preaching,  with  an  eye  to  the  D.  D., 
or  something  better,  I  thought  it  would  not  be  amiss  to 
send  you  one  or  two  from  the  head  and  heart  of  old  Philip 
Henry,  lather  of  Matthew,  you  know,  found  in  his    'Life.' 

"  '  TEXT. 

"  '  The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  your  spirit. 
Amen,'  Philemon,  25. 

"  *  EXORDIUM. 

"  'By  grace,  in  the  text,  is  understood, 

"  '1.  Not  so  much  the  good- will  of  God  toward  us  in 
Christ,  as  his  good  work  in  us  by  his  Spirit.     Mark  this. 

"  '2.  It  is  called  the  grace  of  Christ,  because  he  is  the 
author  and  finisher,  the  pattern  and  example  of  it. 

"  *3.  Now,  the  choicest  things  we  can  ask  of  God  for 
our  friends  is  that  this  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  may  be 
with  their  spirit. 

"  '  DISCUSSION. 

"  '  The  grace  of  Christ  in  the  spirit  enlightens  the  spirit; 
quickens  the  spirit;  softens  and  subdues  the  spirit;  purines 
and  preserves  the  spirit;  enlarges  and  guides  the  spirit; 
sweetens  the  spirit;  and  strengthens  the  spirit  with  might 
in  the  inner  man. 

"  'APPLICATION. 

"  'The  grace  of  Christ  in  the  spirit  is  "the  one  thing 
needful;"  the  better  part;  the  root  of  the  matter;  the  whole 
of  the  Christian;  the  principal  thing;  the  more  excel  lent 
way;  a  blessing  indeed;  the  gift  including  all  others.  But, 
ah!  my  friends,  what  is  a  spirit  without  grace?  A  field 
without  a  fence;  a  fool  with  no  understanding;  a  horse 
without  bridle;  a  house  without  furniture;  a  soldier  with- 
out armor;  a  cloud  without  rain;  a  tree  without  fruit;  a 
22* 


258  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

traveler  without  a  guide;  a  carcass  without  a  soul.  Then 
how  earnestly  should  we  pray  for  grace,  both  for  ourselves 
and  others!' 

"My  friendly  greetings  to  Evander  *  Still  as  pert  as  a 
lark,  no  doubt  he  believes  in  his  heart  that  he  is  doing- 
right,  and  so  did  the  man  who  went  from  Jerusalem  to 
Damascus,  etc. 

"A  brother  who  hails  from  the  south-west  seems  to 
apprehend  that  preachers  from  'the  southern  organization' 
would  not  be  received  kindly,  and  might  be  handled  with- 
out gloves!  Now,  I  would  vouch  for  the  Buckeyes,  that, 
if  they  will  come  with  the  Spirit's  two-edged  sword,  well 
furbished,  they  will  be  received  like  gentlemen,  and  with 
Christian  courtesy;  and  Judge  Lynch  shall  not  call  the 
rabble  to  assist  the  Church  in  thrusting  them  away.  I  think 
my  friend  Evander  will  back  me,  and  my  warm-hearted 
John  will  support  me. 

"I  have  scrawled  the  above  for  the  want  of  something 
better.  Do  the  work  of  an  evangelist;  make  full  proof 
of  thy  ministry.     That  is  all  at  present." 

The  following  letter,  addressed  to  Rev.  F.  Merrick,  pro- 
fessor in  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  University,  will  be  read  with 
interest  by  all,  especially  those  acquainted  with  the  vener- 
able pioneer.  It  is  an  accurate  index  to  his  mode  of  think- 
ing, as  well  as  the  feelings  of  his  heart. 

Mr.  Quinn  must  not  be  suspected  of  any  opposition  to 
sound  learning,  while  he  refers  to  the  palpable  facts  of 
history,  and  affirms  sober  truths.  He  was  in  the  habit  of 
representing  religion  as  the  mistress,  and  learning  as  the 
handmaid  of  Christianity;  and  before  I  introduce  the 
reader  to  his  letter  to  Professor  Merrick,  I  must  allow  Mr. 
Quinn  to  explain  for  himself,  as  found  in  his  apology  to  his 
friend,  a  writer  in  the  Western  Christian  Advocate: 

"Our  friend,  it  seems,  does  not  blame  me  much  for 

*  Evander,  the  fictitious  signature  of  a  writer  in  Kentucky. 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMBS   QUINN.  259 

Intertaining  fears,  lest  the  handmaid  should  become  mis- 
tress, and  Lhe  mistress  handmaid,  being  a  little  apprehen- 
sive himself  on  that  score.  Judging  of  'the  future  from 
the  past/  might  we  not  say,  from  the  present,  'Do  we  not 
sometimes  now  see  the  handmaid  in  full  uniform,  and  hear 
her  flowing  eloquence,  while  little  is  seen  or  heard  of  the 
mistress — repentance,  faith,  and  holiness?'  Not  long  since, 
a  public  entertainment  was  given  at  one  of  the  public  inns 
of  the  Church,  and  many  were  in  attendance,  who  were 
'hungry  for  the  bread  of  life;'  and  who  should  appear,  but 
the  handmaid,  with  a  dish  of  chemistry,  served  up  in 
learned  style;  and  what  should  it  be,  but  one  of  the  four 
elements  analyzed!  There  was  a  little  murmuring  among 
the  guests;  but  one  comforted  them,  saying,  'If  the 
preacher  had  been  in  possession  of  his  chemical  apparatus, 
the  house  might  have  been  blown  down,  or  we  all  thrown 
out  at  the  windows.'  But  the  subject  is  grave,  and  I 
acknowledge  that  our  friend  guards  well  against  what,  it 
seems,  we  both  fear.  As  to  what  I  have  said  in  vin- 
dication of  the  fathers,  he  thinks  I  used  unfairness: 
first,  in  misrepresenting  his  statements;  and,  second,  in 
giving  an  unfair  specimen  of  the  ministerial  talents  and 
characters  of  the  fathers;  and  compliments  me  with  the 
appellation  of  'good,  mistaken  brother.'  Well,  I  did 
understand  our  friend  to  mean,  that  the  fathers  were  so 
illiterate,  that  they  could  not  have  been  useful  among  an 
enlightened,  well-informed  people,  although  he  allows 
them  to  have  been  good  men,  and  useful  in  their  day;  and 
he  sticks  to  his  text,  and  I  am  not  willing  to  give  up  mine. 
I  said,  'Though  not  classically  educated,  yet  they  were 
men  of  strong  minds,  well  stored  with  useful  knowledge; 
that  they  were  mighty  in  the  Scriptures;  and  that  they  were 
able  ministers  of  the  New  Testament.'  Not  so,  indeed, 
at  their  first  entrance — for  then  they  were  illiterate — but 
they  gave  themselves  to  reading,  and  their  profiting  soon 


260  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

appeared,  to  the  astonishment  of  man)*.  In  truth,  they 
were  a  set  of  good,  sound,  common-sense  preachers,  who 
brought  home  their  sermons  to  the  understanding  and 
heart,  by  strong  and  Scriptural  appeals.  Bishop  Asbury, 
in  preaching  the  funeral  of  Dr.  Coke,  before  the  Ohio 
conference,  said  the  Methodist  preachers,  as  a  body,  under- 
stood what  they  professed  to  know  and  teach — that  is,  the 
science  of  salvation;  and  old  Dr.  J.  D.  T.  said  of  the 
Methodist  preachers,  that  they  were  a  set  of  intelligent, 
well-read  men;  and  that  their  reading  was  of  the  best  kind; 
and  he  had  an  opportunity,  and  was  capable  of  judging; 
for  he  was  a  scientific  man,  and  was  once  a  traveling 
preacher,  but  took  ordination  in  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church,  and  left  us.  Well,  now,  I  think  that  this  plain, 
Scriptural,  common-sense  kind  of  preaching,  goes  very 
well;  and  with  intelligent,  well-informed  men,  I  know 
many  that  greatly  prefer  it;  and  as  to  those  who  only 
think  themselves  intelligent,  or  wise,  perhaps  there  is  as 
iittle  hope  of  them  now  as  there  was  in  the  days  of  Solo- 
mon; and,  may  be,  St.  Paul  would  tell  them  that  they 
must  become  fools,  that  they  may  become  wise. 

"As  to  the  specimen,  I  think  it  went  fully  to  sustain  the 
character  of  the  fathers,  as  I  had  set  it  forth;  yet,  allow 
that  it  might  have  been  fuller  by  the  addition  of  such 
names  as  B.  Abbott,  J.  Everitt,  P.  Cox,  T.  Hayman,  T. 
Fleming,  T.  Wilkerson,  J.  Watson,  and  Q.  W.  P.;  then 
the  specimen  would  have  taken  in  classical  men,  and 
men  that  were  not  perfect  in  grammar,  but  who  had  ac- 
quired the  habit  of  speaking  pretty  correctly,  by  having 
kept  good  company  and  read  good  books;  being  entirely 
dependent  on  men  and  books — the  living  and  the  dead — 
both  for  ideas  and  words;  and  who,  pray,  has  his  supply 
of  either  from  any  other  source?  Now,  our  friend  must 
not  take  me  for  an  enemy,  for  I  think  his  numbers  are 
worthy  of  their  name,    'Helps,'    and  calculated  to  do  good; 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  261 

hope  they  will  go  into  booh  form,  with  Dr.  C.'s  letters, 
and  show  to  future  generations  that  the  Methodist  preach- 
ers have,  from  the  beginning,  had  line  upon  line,  precept 
upon  precept,  on  the  all-important  subject  of  not  only 
moral,  but  literary  and  scientific  qualifications  for  the  great 
and  important  work.  5Tet,  a  an  old-fashioned  man,  I 
mighl  still  prefer  those  old  books,  which  we  happened  to 
read  long  ago,  such  as  Baxter's  Reformed  Pastor,  Smith's 
Lectures,  Hannah  More's  Strictures  on  the  Character  and 
Writings  of  St.  Paul;  and  above  all,  the  Portrait  ol 
Paul,  by  J.  De  La  Fletcher.  These,  indeed,  are  helps, 
powerful  helps;  and  ministers,  however  learned  they  may 
be,  read  these  books  with  pleasure.  With  regard  to  learn- 
ing in  genera],  I  am  not  an  enemy,  but  an  ardent  friend; 
and  I  say  to  the  people  on  this  subject,  '  Go  ahead — to  use 
a  western-coined  phrase — and  educate  your  sons,  and  do 
not  let  them  stop  at  the  half-way  house,  as  some  do,  but 
take  them  quite  through;  lest,  when  they  come  to  show  in 
public,  they  should  appear  a  little  pedantic,  as  half-learned 
men  sometimes  do;  then,  if  the  Lord  converts  them,  and 
calls  them  to  preach,  they  will  know  how  to  keep  the  hand- 
maid in  her  place;  and  how,  and  when,  and  where,  to  call 
her  forth;  and  with  Paul,  the  learned,  count  all  things  loss 
for  the  excellency  of  the  knowledge  of  Christ — refusing  to 
glory,  ''save  in  the  cross  of  Christ" — being  thereby  cru- 
cified to  the  world,  and  the  world  crucified  to  them.'  May 
the  great  Lord  of  the  harvest  fill  the  world  with  such  la- 
borers!    Amen." 

But  it  is  time  to  introduce  the  letter: 

"Rural  Cottage,  February  3,  1846. 

"Dear  Brother, — Some  time  ago  1  received  a  short, 
but  very  friendly  letter  from  you,  to  which  I  should  have 
replied  before  now,  but  found  myself  lacking  in  more 
respects  than  one.  I  wish  well  to  the  cause  of  sound 
learning,   in  which   you    are   so  ardently   and  efficiently 


262  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

engaged;  and  pray  that  sound  learning,  and  deep,  ardent 
piety,  may  keep  pace  with  each  other  in  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  This,  you  know,  has  not  always  been 
the  case.  In  Mr.  Wesley's  day,  he  tells  us,  'no  man 
could  get  orders  in  the  Church  except  he  had  received  a 
university  education;'  and  yet  what  was  the  state  of  re- 
ligion? what  the  character  of  the  clergy?  Bad  enough. 
And  if  it  is  better  now,  has  it  not  been  chiefly  through  the 
instrumentality  of  an  uneducated  ministry?  Some  of  our 
young  men,  who  have  a  little  true  piety,  talk  of  studying 
theology,  and  preparing  themselves  for  the  ministry! 
Well,  all  I  have  to  say  is,  if  the  Lord  don't  call  and 
qualify  them,  they  will  be  poor  things,  after  all;  and, 
instead  of  'saving  themselves  and  those  who  hear  them,' 
may  be  the  means  of  damning  many,  and  losing  their  own 
souls.  The  ministry  is  holy  ground,  and  no  unholy  man — 
however  learned — should  venture  on  it.  It  is  shrewdly 
thought  and  said  by  some,  that  our  literary  institutions  are 
a  little  too  liberal — perhaps  vain — in  conferring  literary 
honors.  Some,  at  least,  of  those  who  have  received  the 
literary  titles  of  honor,  are  known  to  be  very  superficial 
scholars.  *  But  Methodist  preachers,'  they  say,  'love  high 
titles.' 

"Dear  brother  Merrick,  excuse  this  liberty  of  an  old 
man.  The  Methodist  Church  and  her  ministry  are  dear 
to  my  heart,  yea,  dearer  than  life  itself;  of  this  I  have 
given  some  proof,  in  the  toils  and  privations  of  forty - 
seven  years;  and  my  love  to  all  that  belongs  to  Methodism 
is  not  less  ardent,  now  that  I  am  old,  and  worn  out,  than 
it  was  in  the  days  of  my  youth  and  manly  vigor.  I  can 
do  little  now,  but  pray  for  the  peace  of  Jerusalem,  and 
weep  over  her  desolations. 

"Well,  you  wish  for  something  as  a  memorial,  or  keep- 
sake, and  mention  Bishop  Asbury's  Bible.  Indeed, 
brother,  that  is  all  I  have  that  would  be  worth  presenting; 


LIFE   AND   LABORS  OF  JAMES  QITNX.  263 

but  my  family  cleave  to  ili.it  as  such  a  treasure,  that  they 
can  not  consent  to  pan  with  it;  besides,  my  name  has 
never  been  officially  known,  in  any  connection,  with  any 
of  our  literary  institutions  in  life,  and  it  would,  therefore, 
be  unimportant  to  connect  it  after  death  —  I  have  had  the 
honor  of  being  some  kind  of  president  in  Brush  Collbi  b 
for  eight  years,  during  which  period  I  had  something  to 
do  with  the  theological  training  of  such  men  as  Finley, 
Strange,  Bigelow,  Bascom,  etc.;  and  it  is  found  in  the 
bound  Minutes  —  with  the  exception  of  one  year — ever 
since  1799.  And  in  ministerial  orders  I  stand  up  close  to 
Mr.  Wesley  himself;  for  he  ordained  Bishop  Whatcoat  as 
his  first  presbyter,  and  Bishop  Whatcoat  ordained  me,  in 
the  first  year  of  the  nineteenth  century. 

"Please  excuse  this  bit  of  pleasantry,  as  a  kind  of  get- 
off,  and  if  you  ever  come  near  us,  come  all  the  way.  We 
shall  be  right  glad  to  see  you;  we  talk  sometimes  about 
you.  My  health  is  pretty  good,  though  I  am  extremely 
weak  and  short  of  breath;  yet  I  preach  a  little  sometimes. 
My  wife  joins  in  Christian  salutations  to  you  and  your  good 
lady.  We  rub  along,  having  food  and  raiment;  and  with 
this  religion  teaches  and  enables  us  to  be  content,  while 
we  trust  that  in  heaven  we  have  a  better  and  an  enduring 
substance. 

"I  once  walked  over  and  admired  the  lovely  site  on  which 
the  University  stands  before  such  an  enterprise  was  talked 
of,  and  thought  what  a  lovely  place  it  would  be  for  a 
seminary  of  learning.  Hope  the  conferences  were  provi- 
dentially directed  in  the  whole  business,  and  that  you  will 
do  well  and  prosper,  and  it  may  be  the  Church  will  some 
time  make  such  arrangements  as  to  put  education  in  reach 
of  poor  Methodist  preachers'  children.  This,  however, 
will  not  be  in  my  day;  but  1  can  not  see  reason  why  the 
Church  in  the  United  States  should  not  do  as  well  by  the 
children  of  their  ministers  as  in  England. 


264  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

"Now,  farewell,  my  good  and  kind  brother,  and  pray 
for  me.     Sincerely  yours,  in  Christ  Jesus." 

The  following  letter,  addressed  to  the  writer  in  the 
summer  of  1846,  will  produce  most  pleasurable  sensations 
and  emotions  in  the  hearts  of  many,  and  excite  a  thrilling 
interest  generally.  There  are  some  things  softly  pleasing, 
though  they  sadden  the  soul.  The  letter  speaks  for  itself, 
and  I  would  not  mar  its  beauty  or  dilute  its  strength  by  a 
single  remark: 

"Dear  Brother, — As  I  have  been  connected  with  the 
Methodist  itinerant  ministry  almost  half  a  century,  and 
have  never  been  affiliated  with  any  other  brotherhood,  it 
has  been  my  privilege — and  no  small  one — to  have  a  per- 
sonal acquaintance  with  many  of  the  fathers  of  the  Church. 
With  some  of  them  that  acquaintance  was  close  and  con- 
fidential, and  to  me  very  profitable.  I  might  name,  in 
this  connection,  Coke,  Asbury,  Whatcoat,  Waters,  Gar- 
retson,  Swift,  Willis,  the  Lees,  the  Hitts,  Ware,  G.  Rob- 
erts, Rozel,  M'Kendree,  R.  R.  Roberts,  etc.  These  all 
served  their  own  generation  by  the  will  of  God,  and  now 
rest  from  their  labors,  and  their  works  do  follow  them. 
They  believed  that  the  Gospel  which  proclaims  glory  to 
God,  and  on  the  earth  peace,  good-will  to  men,  was  a 
system  of  grace  and  salvation  to  and  for  all  men;  and 
that  the  grace  of  God  therein  appeareth  to  all  men,  placing 
salvation  before  them,  and  putting  it  within  their  reach: 
that  it  is,  therefore,  the  power  of  God  to  salvation — the 
salvation  of  every  one  that  believeth — a  present  salvation 
from  the  guilt,  the  power,  and  the  pollution  of  sin.  They 
believed  that  the  preaching  of  this  Gospel  in  the  demon- 
stration of  the  Spirit  and  power,  was  calculated  to  spread 
Scriptural  holiness  over  these  and  all  lands;  that  a  dispen- 
sation of  this  Gospel  was  committed  to  them;  and  that 
they  were  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost  to  take  upon  them 
the  office  and  enter  into  the  work.     They  believed,  they 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QIINN.  265 

experienced,  and  they  spoke,  not  indeed  with  enticing 
words  of  man's  wisdom,  but  in  power,  and  in  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  in  much  assurance.  With  them  justification, 
adoption,  and  sanctification,  were  clearly  and  distinctly- 
set  forth,  not  barely  as  a  systematic  theory,  but  as  enter- 
ing into  sound  Christian  experience,  attainable  by  all 
believers  in  this  life,  and  accompanied  by  an  assurance  of 
God's  love,  peace  of  conscience,  and  joy  in  the  Holy 
Ghost.  They  believed  that  he  who  would  spread  Scrip- 
tural holiness  must  possess  in  his  own  experience,  and 
carry  out  in  spirit  and  practice,  the  principles  of  Gospel 
holiness.  Hence,  they  sought,  found,  lived,  and  preached 
Scriptural  holiness.  And,  O,  with  what  glowing  zeal! 
with  what  burning  love!  and  how  extensively  did  the  sa- 
cred flame  spread!  In  one  of  Bishop  Asbury's  letters, 
still  in  my  possession,  he  gave  me  this  exhortation:  'O, 
my  son,  seek  sanctification,  live  it,  preach  it.  If  we  would 
spread  holiness,  we  must  possess  it:  we  must  be  holy.' 
They  all  preached  holiness  clearly  and  Scripturally,  as  set 
forth  and  defended  in  the  works  of  Wesley  and  Fletcher. 
But  I  think  Bishop  Whatcoat  was  pre-eminent.  He  had 
walked  in  the  light  of  God's  countenance,  enjoying  the 
blessing  of  perfect  love  for  more  than  forty  years.  I 
might  venture  to  say  of  him,  as  Dr.  Coke  said  of  Mr. 
Fletcher  in  the  General  conference  in  1804,  '0,  what  a 
saint  of  God  was  he!  Never  shall  I  look  upon  his  like 
again  on  this  side  paradise.'  If  a  holy  unction  was  com- 
municated by  the  laying  on  of  hands  in  ordination,  I  might 
indulge  a  secret  pleasure,  if  no  more,  in  the  thought,  that 
I  was  set  apart  to  the  office  and  work  of  a  deacon  and 
elder  by  the  laving  on  of  the  hands  of  Richard  Whatcoat, 
and  hold  my  ordination  parchments  with  the  seal  and  sig- 
nature of  Mr.  Wesley's  first  ordained  presbyter. 

"Our  Episcopacy  certainly  originated  with  Mr.  Wesley. 
He  chose  the  episcopal  form  of  Church  government  for  the 

23 


2t)6  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

societies  in  America.  He  chose  and  appointed  a  presbyter 
of  the  Church  of  England  to  the  episcopal  office,  and  then 
set  him  apart  to  the  office  and  work  of  a  general  superin- 
tendent, or  bishop,  by  the  imposition  of  hands — assisted 
by  other  presbyters — according  to  the  forms  of  ordination 
in  the  Church  of  England.  He,  at  the  same  time,  chose 
and  appointed  to  the  same  office  and  work,  a  man  who,  at 
that  time,  was  neither  deacon  nor  presbyter — Francis 
Asbury.  He  also  ordained  Richard  Whatcoat  and  Thomas 
Vasey  presbyters,  and  sent  them  with  Dr.  Coke  to  organize 
the  Church  in  America,  with  special  directions  to  ordain 
F.  Asbury  to  the  episcopal  office  and  work.  Mr.  Asbury 
declined  receiving  the  office  by  Mr.  Wesley's  appointment, 
unless  it  met  the  approbation  of  the  conference  of  preach- 
ers. They  voted — perhaps  unanimously — approving  of 
Mr.  Wesley's  choice  and  appointment,  and  he  was  ordained 
deacon,  elder,  or  presbyter,  and  superintendent.  The  con- 
ference then,  by  another  vote,  received  'Thomas  Coke 
and  F.  Asbury  as  joint  superintendents,  being  fully  satis- 
fied of  the  validity  of  their  episcopal  ordination.'  Any 
one  who  will  be  at  the  pains  of  looking  closely  into  this 
matter,  must  see  that  the  votes  given  by  the  conference 
were  not  votes  conferring-  or  creatine:  office,  but  votes  of 
approval  and  acceptance.  They  might  have  rejected  the 
whole  plan  with  the  office  and  men,  but  they  accepted. 
To  illustrate  my  meaning,  I  refer  to  the  case  of  Bishops 
Soule  and  Hedding,  in  1 824.  They  were  elected  to  the 
office  of  bishop  by  simple  majorities;  but  upon  the  expres* 
sion  of  hesitancy  on  the  part  of  those  brethren,  a  resolu- 
tion was  introduced,  expressing  the  desire  of  the  confer- 
ence that  they  dismiss  their  doubts  and  misgivings,  and 
submit  to  the  judgment  of  their  brethren.  This  resolution 
was  adopted  by  a  rising  vote,  and  I  think  it  was  unan- 
imous. But  who  does  not  see  that  this  was  not  the  vote 
croating  office?     Neither  were  those  which  were  given  by 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  267 

the  conference  in  1784.     Besides,  they  were  neither  dea- 
cons qot  elders. 

"Having  now  received  orders,  and  an  organization  being 
effected,  they  proceeded  to  make  rules  and  regulations  for 
carrying  on  the  glorious  work  on  the  great  original  itin- 
erant plan.  Upon  this  plan  Scriptural  holiness  has  been 
spnad  to  some  extent  over  these  lands.  O,  may  it  still 
continue  to  spread  and  spread  more  extensively  and  glori- 
ously! But  I  fear  there  is  a  tendency  to  locality.  One 
said,  'Your  itinerancy  has  done  wonders;  it  has  roused 
the  world;  but  it  has  had  its  day,  and  must  go  down. 
It  never  can  be  expected  that  a  learned  clergy,  who  study 
and  write  their  sermons,  can  submit  to  the  toils  and  priva- 
tions of  an  itinerant  life.'  Well,  I  hope  such  predictions 
will  never  come  to  pass;  but  a  lovely  son  in  the  Gospel 
writes  me  thus:  'I  have  a  fine  four  weeks'  circuit,  with 
five  rest  days  in  every  week,  and  a  very  pleasant  boarding- 
place.'  And  I  have  knowledge  of  other  arrangements 
nearly,  or  quite,  as  pleasant;  and  that,  too,  in  regions 
where  some  of  us  'beat  the  bush,'  and  were  glad  to  get 
rough  food,  even  when  we  thought  it  might  not  be  very 
clean.  When  I  look  away  to  the  '  land  of  steady  habits,' 
where  they  have  pews,  and  organs,  and  pay  the  choir  to 
do  their  singing — where  the  itinerant  is  snugly  fixed  in 
the  village  station,  and  the  local  preacher  doing  what  little 
itinerant  work  is  done,  my  fears  come  on.  But  then  I 
look  to  God,  and  say, 

'  Away,  my  unbelieving  fears.' 

"  'The  Lord  hath  founded  Zion,  and  the  poor  of  his 
people  shall  trust  in  it.'  Well,  the  Methodist  societies  in 
the  United  States  became  an  episcopal  Church,  with  an 
energetic  itinerant  superintendent'}  vested  in  the  Episco- 
.  with  prerogatives,  duties,  and  responsibilities  well 
defined.  The  conference  might  have  done  away  epis- 
copacy, and  destroyed  the  plan  of  an  itinerant  general 


268  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

superintendence  at  any  time  between  1784  and  1808;  but 
at  no  time  since  have  they  had  power  to  do  either,  without 
a  direct  and  open  violation  of  the  constitution,  which  says, 
'  They  shall  not  change  or  alter  any  part  or  rule  of  our 
government,  so  as  to  do  away  episcopacy,  or  destroy  the 
plan  of  our  itinerant  general  superintendence.'  When  Dr. 
Coke  asked  the  conference  to  district  the  work,  he  asked  no 
more  than  the  conference  had  power  to  do.  Not  so  now. 
"My  strength  is  gone,  and  I  can  go  in  and  out  with  my 
dear  brethren  no  longer;  but  my  heart  is  with  them.  I  think 
I  have  loved  the  cause  in  which  they  are  engaged  better 
than  life.  I  have  likened  myself  to  the  old  farmer.  In  the 
strength  of  manhood,  with  his  youthful  consort,  he  entered 
the  dense  forest  and  commenced  operations.  He  cleared  off 
a  spot  on  rising  ground,  near  a  lovely  spring  of  water,  then 
put  up  his  cabin.  Then  with  ax,  maul,  wedge,  and  mat- 
tock, he  attacked  the  forest,  and  by  hard  toiling — submit- 
ting, in  the  mean  time,  to  many  privations — he  succeeded  in 
subduing  the  wild  forest,  and  transforming  it  into  fruitful 
fields.  We  visited  him  in  his  cabin  when  he  had  just 
commenced  his  labors,  and  after  the  lapse  of  more  than 
thirty  years  we  visited  him  again,  and  gazed  with  wonder 
over  the  splendid  farm,  with  neat  and  comfortable  house, 
barns,  out-houses,  orchards,  etc.  Upon  entering  the 
dwelling,  there  sat  my  old  friend  in  his  arm-chair,  with 
his  Bible  on  the  stand.  His  spectacles  raised  on  his 
wrinkled  forehead,  and  staff  at  hand,  he  rose  to  receive 
me;  but  I  saw  that  the  strong  men  bowed  themselves, 
the  keepers  of  the  house  trembled,  while  those  that  looked 
out  at  the  windows  were  darkened.  His  sons  and  his 
daughters  were  grown  up  and  married,  and  he  had  buried 
Rachel.  The  wife  of  his  youth  was  no  more.  He  had 
retired  from  business,  and  had  given  up  the  farm,  stock, 
and  all,  to  the  direction  and  management  of  his  trust- 
worthy sons.     And  yet  it  was  apparent  that  he  still  held 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  J  AUKS  QUINN.  269 

a  lingering1  interest  in  the  premises,  as  though  they  might, 
or  would  suffer,  if  he  did  not  extend  his  guardian 
over  them.  He  knew  every  nook  and  corner  of  the  exten- 
sive farm.  He  had  a  gateway  into  every  apartment, 
which  he  could  open  and  shut  at  pleasure,  and  he  kept  an 
old  pacing  horse,  that  he  could  ride  in  safety;  and  when 
the  weather  was  fair,  he  would  mount  the  old  horse,  and 
oft*  he  would  go  from  field  to  field,  from  pasture  to  pasture, 
and  from  one  inclosure  into  another,  till  the  whole  was 
visited.  Then  a  dialogue,  something  like  the  following, 
might  be  heard: 

"Father.  I  was  out  in  that  far  pasture,  and  saw  some 
strange,  wild-looking  cattle. 

"Son.  They  are  some  I  took  in  a  few  days  ago. 

"F.  I  suppose  the  gate  has  been  left  open,  and  the 
hogs  are  in  among  the  sheep,  and  they  will  destroy  the 
lambs,  I  fear. 

"S.  I  will  have  that  matter  attended  to,  but  have  a 
number  of  important  matters  on  hand.  I  will  send  the 
boys. 

"F.  But  some  of  them  are  already  missing.  I  think  it 
ought  to  be  attended  to  without  delay. 

"S.  Well,  we  have  a  great  many  of  them,  and  some  of 
them  poor,  dirty  things,  are  of  but  little  worth.  It  will  be 
no  great  loss  if  they  do  stray  off,  or  the  hogs  eat  them. 

"F.  Ah,  the  time  may  come  when  you  will  think  differ- 
ently, etc. 

"Ah,  poor  old  man!  he  is  behind  the  times.  He  thinks 
that  matters  must  be  done  up  in  the  old  way,  or  they  are 
not  done  right. 

"  Mr.  Wesley  said  that  a  proper  attention  to  the  rule  on 
visiting  from  house  to  house,  would  drive  from  among  us 
all  those  preachers  who  are  as  salt  which  has  lost  its  savor; 
for  to  such  this  employment  would  be  mere  drudgery. 
And  surely  such  preachers  are  a  drag  upon  any  Church, 


270  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

however  talented  they  may  be.  I  am  inclined  to  think 
that  the  tendency  of  the  Church  South  is  to  high  diocesan 
episcopacy,  and  that  of  the  north  and  north-west  to  pres- 
byterial  or  congregational  parity.  The  'summary'  doc- 
trine on  the  character  of  our  Episcopacy  looks  that  way. 
"The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  as  a  whole,  will 
never  again  be  as  she  has  been,  or  what  she  once  was. 
A  politician,  fifty  years  ago,  said,  'The  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church  will  spread  over  these  United  States,  and  then 
break  down  with  her  own  weight.'  If  Bayard  had  lived 
a  few  years  longer,  he  might  have  said,  'My  prediction  is 
fulfilled.'  0,  I  hope  He  who  walketh  among  the  golden 
candlesticks,  and  holdeth  the  stars  in  his  right  hand,  will 
not  cast  us  quite  away!" 

TO  REV.  JOHN  W.  FOWBLE. 

"At  Home,  July  18,  1846. 

"Dear  Son, — It  is  some  time  since  we  received  your 
kind  letter  informing  us  of  your  affairs,  in  which  we  still 
take  an  interest.  We  are  glad  to  hear  that  you  are  so 
pleasantly  situated,  and  so  well  provided  for,  and  especially 
that  you  have  success  in  the  great  work  in  which  you  are 
engaged.  May  you  still  prosper  more  and  more,  and  to 
the  end! 

"I  fear  that  there  is  too  little  originality  in  the  sermons 
we  sometimes  hear — too  much  memorizing.  '  0,  popular 
applause,  what  heart  of  man  is  proof  against  thy  seducing 
charms!'     That  heart  that  is  renewed  by  grace,  that  heart, 

•  "Where  only  Christ  is  heard  to  speak — 
Where  Jesus  reigns  alone,' 

may  such  a  heart  be  thine  and  mine  while  life  shall  last! 
"I  am  glad  that  the  Lord  hath  given  you  a  son,  and  I 
hope  you  have  given  him  to  the  Lord.  0,  may  he  be  as 
good  and  as  great  as  was  the  holy  man  whose  name  you 
have  given  to  him!  [George  Cookman.]  He  took  me  by 
the  hand  and  led  me  to  his  pulpit  in  Philadelphia  in  1 832, 


LIFE   AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  Q1INX.  271 

but  I  never  Baw  his  face  again,  nor  shall  I  till  the  earth 
and  sea  shall  give  up  the  dead  which  arc  in  them. 

"I  traveled  over  the  ground  where  yon  are  now  travel- 
ing in  1800;  it  was  then,  comparatively,  a  wilderness, 
with  solitary  places,  but  now  a  pleasant  and  fruitful  field. 
So  the  Scriptures  are  fulfilled." 

Mr.  Quinn  was  able  to  be  at  the  conference  at  Piqua 
September  2,  1846,  in  rather  an  improved  state  of  health. 
He  mingled  with  the  brethren  with  more  than  a  common 
flow  of  spirits,  and  participated  in  the  business  of  the 
conference  to  a  greater  extent  than  he  had  for  several 
years.  When  his  name  was  called  he  made  a  brief  ad- 
dress to  his  brethren,  the  substance  of  which  is  here  given: 

"Mr.  President, — Forty  and  six  years  have  my  breth- 
ren passed  my  character  without  objection.  Yet  I  have 
some  things  against  myself.  I  am  a  minister  of  the  eight- 
eenth century,  ordained  by  the  venerable  Whatcoat.  I 
spent  four  years  of  my  itinerant  life  in  Pennsylvania  and 
Virginia,  and  one  on  the  shore  of  Lake  Erie.  To  avoid 
one  of  the  city  stations  I  petitioned  to  be  sent  west.  It 
was  granted,  and  in  1804  I  found  myself  in  the  Hocking 
Valley.  The  first  Western  conference  I  attended  was  held 
at  Mount  Gerizim,  Ky.,  October  2,  1804;  and  I  see  here 
but  one  man  that  I  met  there — brother  Jacob  Young. 
When  I  cast  my  eyes  over  the  conference,  I  see  the  sons 
and  the  grandsons  of  those  who  bade  me  welcome  into 
tlnir  cabins  more  than  forty  years  ago.  I  am  now  a 
worn-out  preacher;  yet  I  have  a  relish  for  my  food,  sleep 
as  sweetly  as  an  infant,  have  no  local  disease,  and  can 
preach  occasionally  thirty  or  forty  minutes,  and  loud 
enough  to  be  distinctly  heard  by  an  ordinary  congregation. 
I  have  peace  with  God,  and  a  good  hope,  through  grace, 
of  everlasting  life.  I  have  the  sympathies  of  my  brethren; 
they  almost  burden  me  with  their  kindness.  They  are 
all   ready  to   contribute  to   the   comfort  of  their   senior 


272  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

brother.  They  have  my  ardent  love.  It  gives  me  great 
pleasure  to  meet  them  in  conference,  and  if  alive  and  able 
I  will  go  to  conference  next  year.  And  if  I  go  to  heaven,  I 
do  not  know  but  I  shall  be  permitted  to  satisfy  my  anxiety, 
by  looking  from  paradise  upon  you  at  your  annual  meet- 
ings. 

"I  have  got  back,  Mr.  President,  to  the  place  of  begin- 
ning. I  went  to  the  class-leader  where  my  family  meet,  and 
requested  him  to  put  my  name  on  the  class-book,  saying 
I  would  attend  when  able.  The  young  preacher  seeing 
my  name  on  the  book,  seemed  a  little  embarrassed  to  meet 
me.  I  said,  '  Come  on,  brother;  I  love  to  have  my 
brethren  talk  to  me  of  Jesus  and  his  dying  love.' 

"I  live  convenient  to  three  districts,  and  have  the  privi- 
lege of  attending  brother  Wright's,  brother  Simmons',  and 
brother  Connell's  quarterly  meetings.  But  I  shall  soon 
close  my  earthly  pilgrimage,  and  rest  in  my  Father's 
house  above.  Pray  for  your  aged  brother,  that  he  may 
meet  you  all  in  heaven." 

The  conference,  knowing  the  very  small  amount  Mr. 
Q.uinn  would  receive  as  a  superannuated  minister,  made  a 
contribution  to  assist  him.  In  presenting  the  amount  col- 
lected, Rev.  G.  W.  Walker  made  an  appropriate  address  to 
him  in  the  presence  of  his  brethren,  to  which  he  responded 
in  a  few  words,  expressive  of  his  gratitude,  manifesting  at 
the  same  time  much  feeling  and  deep  emotion. 

Having  furnished  the  reader  with  a  plan  selected  by 
Mr.  Quinn  from  Mr.  Henry,  and  embraced  in  his  letter  to 
Mr.  Bruce,  I  will  now  insert  a  brief  skeleton  of  his  own, 
as  a  specimen  of  his  method  of  explaining  and  applying 
an  important  portion  of  Scripture.  It  is  taken  from  many 
hundreds,  not  because  it  is  judged  to  be  the  best  of  all 
he  has  left,  but  it  is  esteemed  good.  While  there  is 
nothing  elaborate  or  far-fetched  in  the  four  general  prop- 
ositions, the  subdivisions  are  exceedingly  natural,  brief, 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  273 

and  simple — well  calculated  to  make  a  vivid  Impression  on 

tin'  mind.     The  texl  is  taken  from 

•   PHILIPPIAJre  II,  0-11. 

"I.  The  persona]  dignity  and  glory  of  Christ. 

"1.   In  the  form  of  God,  etc. 

"2.   Equal  with  (rod. 

"II.   His  voluntary  and  deep  humiliation. 

"1.  Made  in  the  Likeness  of  men. 

"2.   Found  in  fashion  as  a  man. 

"3.   Took  on  himself  the  form  of  a  servant. 

"4.  Became  obedient  unto  death,  even  the  death  of  the 
cross. 

"His  obedience  for  man  met  the  claims  of  the  first  cov- 
enant, and  released  man  from  its  curse. 

"III.  His  glorious  exaltation. 

"1.  In  our  nature  as  our  Representative,  Advocate,  and 
High  Priest. 

"2.  Sacerdotal  and  gracious  prerogative  as  our  Savior. 

"3.  His  regal  prerogative  as  King  in  Zion. 

"Lord  of  the  universe  and  King  eternal  of  all  mankind. 

"IV.  His  universal  triumph  in  the  subjugation  of  all  to 
his  authority. 

"Every  knee  shall  bow,  every  tongue  confess.  His 
willing  subjects  to  the  glory  of  his  abounding  grace. 

"His  rebel  foes  to  the  glory  of  his  justice." 


274  SKETCHES  OF  THE 


CHAPTER    XV. 

Return  from  conference — Good  spirits — Anecdotes — Conversa- 
tion a  source  of  information — Dreads  the  common  habit  of  old 
men — Watches,  and  is  safe — Pioneer's  rest — Description  of  the 
house — Furniture — Engravings — Springs,  garden,  orchard — Barn 
and  stock — Venerable  owner — Has  learned  how  to  be  old — Lights 
and  shadows  of  his  itinerant  life — Letter  to  his  son — Attentive  to 
his  own  children  and  other  youths — Good  counsel — Resurrection 
of  the  body — Purely  a  doctrine  of  revelation — Dangerous  illness — 
Depressed  and  tempted — Victory  obtained — Beautiful  poem — Pri- 
vate interview — Expresses  his  wishes  in  regard  to  his  interment 
and  funeral — Recovers,  and  lives  several  months — Happy  retrospec- 
tion— Tale  of  hardships — Hockhocking  Valley — Athens — Univer- 
sity— Preachers — Rev.  H.  S.  Fernandes — His  tomb — Quarterly 
meeting — Address  in  love-feast — Accompanies  the  writer  to  Lou- 
den Church — Rests  well — Happy  in  the  morning — His  solicitude 
to  attend  conference — Is  gratified — Farewell  address — Present  con- 
ference— Western  conference  in  1804 — Field  of  labor — Scioto  cir- 
cuit— Hard  labor — Discouragements — Some  returned  to  worldly 
business — Others  kept  on,  cheered  by  the  blessing  of  God — First 
church  in  the  Scioto  Valley — Wesleyan  succession — New  Testa- 
ment authority — The  bishops — Whole  itinerant  plan. 

Mr.  Quinn  returned  from  conference  in  an  improved 
state  of  health,  and  with  a  fine  flow  of  spirits.  He  accom- 
panied me  to  several  of  the  charges  of  the  district,  and 
frequently  assisted  us  in  the  labors  of  the  pulpit  at  our 
quarterly  meetings.  In  riding  in  the  carriage  with  me, 
we  had  an  excellent  opportunity  for  conversation,  and 
many  of  the  incidents  found  in  his  biography  were  received 
from  his  own  lips  during  the  last  three  years  of  his  life. 
He  treasured  up  many  things  in  his  youth,  and  seemed  to 
have  an  anecdote  appropriate  on  all  occasions.  At  one 
time,  when  he  received  a  refreshing  drink  of  water  in  the 
heat  of  summer,  he  remarked  that  he  knew  an  aged  and 
very  pious  lady  who  was  in  the  habit  of  returning  thanks 
thus:  "Thank  God  for  a  cool  drink  of  water;  there  is  not 
a  drop  of  it  in   all  hell!"     This  was  certainly  an  awful 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUITO.  275 

description  of  hell,  ami  people  should  make  a  powerful 
effort  to  escape  thai  place  where  there  is  ao  water! 

In  listening  i<>  his  conversation,  I  have  often  been  re- 
minded of  ili«'  anecdote  of  Bishop  Asbury.  In  preaching 
once,  he  announced  an  inquiry  as  though  it  had  been  made 
by  one  in  the  congregation:  ''How  do  you  preachers  know 
so  much?"  He  then  answered,  "We  tell  one  another." 
And  truly  it  is  a  source  of  much  information  to  hear  intel- 
ligent and  good  men  converse;  and  he  who  will  not  learn 
from  this  source,  will  not  likely  ever  know  much. 

It  is  not  an  unusual  thing  for  aged  men  to  become  ego- 
tistical, and  make  large  calculations  on  the  deference  and 
attention  of  others,  on  the  ground  of  their  seniority  and 
services  rendered.  Mr.  Quinn  was  esteemed  an  excep- 
tion to  this  general  course.  •  He  exhibited  in  old  age  all 
his  former  diffidence,  modesty,  and  unfeigned  humility. 
He  appeared  to  have  a  lively  apprehension  of  the  danger, 
and  feared  so  much  that  he  might  fall  into  the  common 
errors  of  old  men,  that  he  was  guarded  every  hour,  and, 
by  constant  vigilance,  stood  secure.  He  had  watched 
these  things  in  others  when  developed,  and  saw  the  effect 
they  produced  in  the  minds  of  their  acquaintances,  and 
therefore  braced  himself  by  a  variety  of  strong  motives, 
which  rendered  him  quite  safe  from  this  common  habit. 
In  his  confidential  interviews  with  the  writer  on  this  sub- 
ject, he  has  sometimes  quoted  from  Hannah  More  the 
maxim  which  he  always  desired  to  practice.  It  is  found 
in  her  Sacred  Drama,  where  she  represents  David  as  say- 
ing to  Saul: 

"  I  would  not  aught  from  favor  claim, 
Or  on  remembered  services  presume; 
But  on  the  Btrength  of  my  own  actions  stand, 
Ungrac'd  and  unsupported." 

The  writer,  for  the  satisfaction  of  the  numerous  and 
distant  friends  of  Mr.  Quinn,  furnished  for  publication  in 


276  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

our  western  periodical,  early  in  October,  1846,  a  descrip- 
tion of  his  residence,  giving  it  the  name  of  the  "Pioneer's 
Rest."  I  freely  confess  that  every  thing  that  appertained 
to  the  venerable  pioneer,  and  all  of  his  class,  was  interest- 
ing to  me;  and  I  know  we  are  apt  to  suppose  that  what- 
ever interests  ourselves  will  affect  others  in  a  similar  way. 
I  think,  however,  this  description  will  be  read  with  pleas- 
ure, as  it  will  give  all  the  readers  of  his  Life  some  idea 
how  the  home  of  that  good  man  appeared  at  the  time  it 
was  written: 

"The  Pioneer's  Rest  is  about  five  miles  north-west  of 
Hillsboro,  in  Highland  county,  Ohio.  It  is  a  beautiful 
situation;  and  although  it  is  not  immediately  on  any  large 
road,  it  is  easy  of  access,  and  well  adapted  to  the  retiring 
and  modest  disposition  of  the  worthy  man  who  occupies  it. 
As  you  approach  the  little  farm  from  the  east,  you  enter 
by  a  large  gate,  and  pass  up  a  lane  to  the  house,  standing, 
north  and  south,  on  a  small  eminence.  The  building  I 
would  suppose  forty-six  by  twenty-two  feet,  a  story  and  a 
half  high,  with  stone  chimneys.  The  body  is  made  of 
logs,  weather-boarded  in  front,  with  a  piazza  the  entire 
length  of  the  house.  The  piazza  is  well-nigh  surrounded 
with  the  coral  honeysuckle,  the  rose,  and  the  sweet-brier. 
The  front  yard  is  beautifully  set  with  fruit,  shade,  and 
ornamental  trees,  and  shrubs:  among  which  may  be  seen 
the  althea,  and  the  balm  of  Gilead,  the  cedar,  and  a  great 
variety  of  the  rose.  On  the  border  of  the  yard,  and  but 
a  few  steps  from  the  house,  is  one  of  Nature's  purest 
fountains  gushing  from  the  rock.  A  little  lower  down 
there  is  another  spring,  over  which  the  spring-house 
stands.  A  short  distance  east  of  the  spring  is  the  garden 
spot,  cultivated  in  vegetables  and  flowers.  North-east 
from  the  house,  and  but  a  short  distance,  is  the  orchard, 
furnishing  a  variety  of  excellent  fruit.  South-west  from 
the  house  may  be  seen  the  barn  and  stables.     This  little 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINH. 

farm  is  Btocked,  perhaps,  with  the  variety  that  is  common, 
but  to  a  very  limited  extent.  A  fine  flock  of  sheep  may 
be  si  en  eagerly  surrounding  the  sup<  rannuated  minister, 
their  Bhepherd;  and  truly  they  know  his  voice,  and  they 
follow  him. 

"  Perhaps  it  may  n<>t  be  amiss  to  describe  the  interior  of 
some  of  the  apartments  of  this  humble  dwelling.  A 
enter  what  may  be  called  the  parlor,  facing  the  firej 
which  is  north,  you  will  see  'the  eye  of  time,'  the  mantle 
clock;  on  the  left  of  which  hangs  the  large  portrait  of 
Bishop  Asbury,  and  on  the  right  that  of  M'Kendree.  On 
the  west  side,  and  between  the  door  and  window,  hangs, 
neatly  framed,  brother  Quinn's  certificate  of  life  member- 
ship in  the  Parent  Missionary  Society  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  On  the  south,  clustered  together,  are 
the  portraits  of  all  the  presidents  of  these  United  States, 
except  Mr.  T.  and  Mr.  P.  On  the  east  side,  and  near  the 
corner,  stands  a  plain  bureau,  supporting  the  bookcase, 
which  contains  a  small  library  of  well-selected  and  most 
valuable  books,  chiefly  theological.  Near  the  east  door, 
and  under  the  looking-glass,  there  is  a  small  stand,  on 
which  may  be  seen  a  beautiful  copy  of  the  holy  Scriptures, 
used  in  the  devotions  of  the  family.  Adjoining  the  sit- 
ting-room, and  south  of  ii,  is  what  may  be  called  the 
preachers'  room,  somewhat  better  furnished  than  the 
prophet's  room  of  old.  And  this  venerable  man  and  his 
lovely  family  are  always  glad  to  have  the  preachers  and 
their  wives  call  to  see  them.  They  are  'given  to  hospi- 
tality.' 

"The  distinguished  pioneer  of  Methodist  itinerants  in 
the  once  'far-off  west,'  who  rests  in  this  habitation,  is 
much  more  interesting  than  any  object  embraced  in  my 
description.  Indeed,  it  is  he  alone  that  gives  interest  to 
the  various  items  of  this  communication.  His  person  was 
once  a  noble  and  beautiful  specimen  of  the  human  form; 
24 


278  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

but  the  frosts  of  seventy-one  winters  have  covered  his 
head  with  the  whiteness  of  wool.  He  is  bending  beneath 
the  weight  of  years.  His  cheeks  are  furrowed,  and  his 
flesh  and  strength  are  wasted;  so  that  all  who  behold  him 
will  readily  admit,  that  he  properly  and  deservingly  sus- 
tains a  superannuated  relation  to  the  Ohio  conference. 
His  numerous  and  distant  acquaintances  will  rejoice  to  learn 
that  he  has  a  place  and  a  habitation,  and  truly  a  'sweet 
home'  it  is,  at  which  to  spend  the  evening  of  his  days, 
and  where  he  can  say  to  his  friends,  '  Come  in.'  His  vis- 
itors usually  find  him  seated  in  his  plain  armed-chair — 
cushioned,  I  presume,  by  his  own  excellent  wife — for  he 
never  lies  down  during  the  day.  His  conversation  will 
not  fail  to  interest  and  edify  his  guests.  I  look  to  him  as 
the  best  model,  for  aged  men,  that  I  have  known.  He 
appears  constantly  striving  to  learn  how  to  be  old,  and 
makes  good  proficiency,  to  say  the  least;  and  although 
this  is  said  to  be  a  hard  and  difficult  lesson,  yet  it  is  cer- 
tainly attainable,  and  all  may  be  encouraged  to  learn  how 
to  be  patient,  agreeable,  useful,  and  happy  in  old  age." 

Under  date  of  February  23,  1847,  Mr.  Quinn,  in  cor- 
recting an  error  in  the  view  given  in  the  fifth  volume  of 
the  Ladies'  Repository,  of  the  scene  at  Harper's  Ferry, 
speaks  of  the  Potomac,  as  seen  on  the  right,  and  Shenan- 
doah on  the  left  hand,  and  then  expatiates  a  little  upon 
some  of  the  lights  and  shadows  of  his  itinerant  life,  as  fol- 
lows: 

"Forty-five  years  ago,  in  the  order  of  Providence,  it 
was  my  lot  to  travel  the  extensive  circuit  lying  in  that 
lovely  valley,  extending  from  Harper's  Ferry,  up  each 
river,  say  fifty  miles.  In  passing  round  and  through  this 
noble  circuit,  we  crossed  the  valley — diagonally — twice, 
Shenandoah  twice,  and  the  Blue  Ridge  twice.  That  was  a 
glorious  year  on  Berkley  and  Winchester  circuits;  for  they 
were  joined  in  one  that  year:  many  souls  were  brought  to 


f.ii'K  AND   LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  270 

God.     Out  of  this  revival  and  its  results,  the  Lord  r 
up  Bix  or  seven  able  preachers.     Our  carpenter,  two 
makers,  one  gunsmith,  and  a  vragon-maker,  were  of  the 
number.     The  Lord  knows  who  to  make  preachers  of,  i  n  ! 
where  to  find  them.     That  was  one  of  my  happii 
J;  was  my  fourth   year.     And  al   the  next  conference   L 
received  orders,  and  turned  my  face  to  the  west,  spending 
one  year  on  the  way,  chiefly  in  the  Alleghany  Mountain  . 
if  to   take  a   last  and  lingering  farewell  of  my  beloved 
mother — Baltimore    conference.      During    that   year   the 
Lord  made  bare  his  arm  in  the  mountains  and  valleys,  and 
many  souls  were  brought  to  God. 

"The  tirst  camp  meeting  on  the  western  waters  was  held 
that  year — 1802.  Greenbury  R.  Jones,  of  Ohio,  and  James 
and  Tobias  Riley,  both  of  Baltimore  conference,  were  raised 
up  in  this  revival.  They  were  good  ministers  of  Christ. 
They  served  their  generation  faithfully,  and  have  fallen 
asleep.  When  I  was  transferred  to  the  great  western 
valley,  I  thought,  in  my  heart,  I  could  venture  to  say,  with 
Paul,  '  I  will  very  gladly  spend  and  be  spent  for  this  peo- 
ple.' And  now,  after  the  toils  and  privations  of  more 
than  forty  years,  1  think  I  might  venture  to  change  the 
passage  from  the  future  to  the  past  tense,  and  say,  'I  have 
spent  and  am  spent.'  I  now  have  a  tent  on  the  very  back- 
bone of  the  two  fat  valleys — Miami  and  Scioto — for  the 
lovely  spring  from  which  we  drink  flows  away  into  the 
Scioto;  and  another  lovely  fountain,  sixty  perches  distant, 
on  the  west  end  of  my  one  hundred  acre  lot,  meanders 
away  into  the  Miami.  Over  these  valleys  I  often  look  with 
an  interest  and  feeling  not  to  be  expressed.  0,  the  toils, 
privations,  labors,  and  sufferings,  I,  with  others,  have  had! 
Well,  well,  what  of  all  that?  He  that  can  not  endure 
hardness  is  not  likely  to  make  a  good  soldier: 
'  To  patient  faith  the  prize  is  sure.' 

"  0,  the  amount  of  good  that  has  been  accomplished  by 


280  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

those  toils  and  privations!  'Look  to  heaven  for  your 
reward,'  say  some  of  our  kindred  friends,  when  we  have 
ventured  to  say  we  were  a  little  straitened,  'look  to  heaven, 
brother,  for  your  pay.'  0,  true,  and  where  are  you  to 
look  for  your  pay?  Here  am  I  in  the  interior  of  rich 
Ohio;  and  if  I  could  ride  on  old  Pompey  forty  miles  a  day, 
I  could  go  from  here  to  Harper's  Ferry,  and  lodge  every 
niffht  within  the  bounds  of  some  circuit  on  which  I  had 

o 

once  traveled.  But  I  should  find  only  the  second  and 
third  generations  of  those  with  whom  I  was  sweetly  united 
in  Gospel  fellowship.  Farewell,  loved  ones!  We  shall  not 
lose  our  friends  above,  but  more  enjoy  them  there." 

The  following  letter  written  to  his  son,  Dr.  Isaac  H. 
Quinn,  is  deemed  worthy  of  a  place  in  his  "Life."  Though 
somewhat  reserved  and  dignified  in  his  manner,  as  a 
father,  yet  his  children  were  permitted  to  enjoy  close  and 
confidential  intercourse  with  him.  He  took  much  pains  to 
secure  them  against  prevailing  errors,  and  to  guide  them 
into  all  truth.  His  talents  and  energies  were  all  enlisted 
in  the  defense  of  every  important  doctrine  in  the  wide  range 
of  evangelical  truth.  In  the  closing  years  of  his  life,  he 
appeared  to  take  a  special  interest  in  the  young  people  of 
his  acquaintance,  and  nothing  delighted  him  so  much  as 
to  explain  to  them  the  word  of  God,  whenever  he  could 
get  their  attention,  either  in  public  or  private.  Though  he 
did  not  obtrude  himself  as  a  debater  on  any,  yet  he  loved 
to  meet  the  objections  of  the  youthful  skeptic  with  the 
powerful  truths  of  revelation.  And  he  conducted  the  dis- 
cussion in  such  a  kind  spirit,  and  with  so  much  manifest 
solicitude  for  the  good  of  the  inquirer,  that  he  seldom 
failed  to  convince  the  judgment  of  the  truth,  and  produce 
an  impression  on  the  heart  in  favor  of  Christianity.  The 
doctrine  of  the  resurrection  of  the  body,  which  is  the  prin- 
cipal subject  of  the  letter,  was  deemed  by  him  of  vital  im- 
portance, and  he  argues  it  with  his  usual  clearness,  brevity, 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUITO.  281 

and  force.  The  aged  as  well  as  the  young  may  read  it 
with  interest  and  profit;  and  let  all  remember  ii  is  the 
voice  of  a  father,  in  the  last  year  of  his  life,  falling  upon 
the  ears  of  a  son. 

"Rami  Cottmye,  March  1,  1847. 
"Beloved  Son, — We  were  all  made  very  glad  in  receiv- 
ing a  letter  from  you,  bearing  date  February  13.     In  order 

that  yen  may  be  respected,  it  will  be  of  great  importance 

that  you  form  and  keep  up  a  close  and  very  intimate 
acquaintance  with  one  strictly-honest  and  religious  man. 
This  you  will  find  to  be  next  in  importance,  to  the  favor 
and  approbation  of  God,  as  in  that  acquaintance — properly 
cultivated — you  may  always  have  the  answer  of  a  good 
conscience;  and  this  is  more  than  all  the  world  besides. 

"One  writer  has  said,  'It  is  dangerous  to  dip  into  most 
men  beneath  the  surface,  lest  our  curiosity  should  rob  us 
of  our  good  opinion.'  However  rude  it  may  be  to  dip  into 
others,  and  however  often  you  may  be  robbed  of  your 
good  opinion  in  dipping  into  other  men,  return  and  dip, 
yea,  dip  often,  and  dip  deep;  and  on  finding  all  things 
about  right  in  your  religiously-honest  man,  you  may  hold 
up  your  head  and  sing,  'I'm  happy  on  my  journey  home.' 

"We  are  not  displeased  that  your  attention  has  been 
called  to  a  very  grave  subject;  a  subject  in  which  all  men 
have  an  interest  of  vast  import;  a  subject  which  ought  not 
to  be  diseusscd  in  the  dim  glimmerings  of  philosophy  or 
metaphysics,  but  in  the  pure  light  of  revelation;  for  as 
philosophy  did  not,  could  not,  make  the  discovery,  so 
neither  can  it  develop  and  set  it  forth  free  from  ambiguity. 
[ndeed,  on  subjects  of  pure  revelation,  philosophy  often 
only  Leads  to  'bewilder  and  dazzles  to  blind.'  'Beware, 
thru,'  saith  Paul,  'lest  any  spoil  you  through  philosophy 
and  science,  falsely  so  called.' 

"But  you  desire  me  to  give  you  my  views  on  the  grave 
subject  which  you  have  been  discussing.  If  I  attempt 
04* 


282  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

this,  it  must  be  briefly  and  with  marks  of  imbecility.  But 
I  will  try  a  little.  And,  first,  I  hold  that  death  is  in  the 
world — as  a  penal  forfeiture  of  life — by  or  through  the  sin 
of  Adam.  'By  the  disobedience  of  one,  judgment  came 
upon  all  men.'  And  again,  'In  Adam  all  die;  by  man 
came  death;'  and  the  Jews  believed  that  there  would  be  a 
resurrection,  both  of  the  just  and  unjust.  But  when  Paul 
preached  Jesus  and  the  resurrection  to  the  wise  men  of 
Greece,  some  mocked,  and  others  said,  '  He  seemeth  to  be 
a  setter-forth  of  strange  gods.'  Whence  this  difference? 
We  answer,  the  Jews  had  the  light  of  revelation  on  the 
subject,  which  the  Greeks  had  not.  They,  with  all  their 
learning,  had  to  grope  their  way,  by  the  dim  light  of 
nature,  and  so  'feel  after  God,  if  haply  they  might  find 
him,'  as  that  apostle  saith.  But  when  the  fullness  of  the 
time  was  come,  God  sent  forth  his  Son,  and  Christ  took  the 
form  of  a  servant,  and  as  the  children  were  partakers  of 
flesh  and  blood,  he  took  part  of  the  same;  and  thus  he 
became  the  kinsman  of  our  guilty  and  ruined  race,  in 
order  that,  through  death,  he  might  abolish  death,  and — 
as  the  glorious  'repairer  of  the  breach' — he  might  bring 
life  and  immortality  to  light,  and  so  restore  paths  for  men 
to  dwell  in;  and,  through  suffering,  bring  many  sons  to 
glory. 

"Second.  So  you  see  I  hold  that  Christ's  commission 
and  mediatorial  work  embrace  the  whole  family  of  man,  as 
they  came  from  Adam,  depraved,  guilty,  and  under  the 
sentence  of  death.  But  Jesus  proclaims  himself  'the 
resurrection  and  the  life,'  and  declares  that  'the  hour  is 
coming,  when  all  that  are  in  their  graves  shall  hear  his 
voice,  [the  voice  of  the  Son  of  God,]  and  come  forth; 
they  that  have  done  good,  to  the  resurrection  of  life;  and 
they  that  have  done  evil,  to  the  resurrection  of  damnation,' 
John  v,  28.  'And  many  of  them  that  sleep  in  the  dust  of 
the  earth  shall  awake,  some  to  everlasting  life,  and  some 


LTFE   AM)  LABOKS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  283 

to  shame  and  everlasting  contempt,'  Daniel  rii,  2.  Again, 
'The  earth  and  the  sea  gave  up  the  dead  which  were 
in  them',  and  the  dead,  small  and  great,  stood  before  God.' 
Be  that  in  the  final  judgment  the  individuality — the  per- 
sonal identity  of  each  individual — will  be  so  secured  that 
each  shall  give  account  of  himself  to  the  Judge  of  quick 
ami  dead,  and  'receive  the  things  done  in  his  body,  accord- 
ing to  that  which  he  hath  done,  whether  it  be  good  or 
bad.'  0,  my  son,  keep  this  solemn  and  final  reckoning  in 
view.  But  to  proceed:  you  may  observe  an  essential  and 
important  difference  between  the  just  and  the  unjust,  in 
their  rising  and  coming  forth;  those  who  live  in  Christ  here 
and  die  in  the  Lord,  sleep  in  Jesus;  their  flesh  resteth  in 
hope,  and  their  souls  are  with  him  in  paradise;  and  when 
he  shall  descend,  with  a  shout,  and  the  voice  of  the  arch- 
angel, and  come  to  be  glorified  in  his  saints,  he  will  bring 
them  with  him;  when,  saith  the  apostle — 1  Cor.  xv,  52 — 
at  the  last  trump,  in  a  moment,  and  in  the  twinkling  of  an 
eye,  the  dead  shall  be  raised  incorruptible,  and  we — mark 
well — we  shall  be  changed;  that  is,  the  bodies  of  the 
saints,  those  who  died  in  the  Lord  and  slept  in  Jesus. 
You  may  observe  that  when  Christ  'shall  be  revealed  from 
heaven  with  his  mighty  angels,'  etc. — 2  Thes. — he  will 
come  to  be  glorified  in  his  saints,  and  take  vengeance  on 
them  that  obey  not  his  Gospel.  He  will  be  glorified  in  his 
saints  by  changing  or  transforming  their  bodies  like  unto 
his  glorious  body.  Mark  the  model.  Not  as  born  of 
Mary;  not  as  he  appeared  among  the  Jews  and  was  recog- 
nized by  them  as  the  carpenter,  the  son  of  Joseph  and 
Mary;  not  as  he  appeared  at  Pilate's  bar;  not  as  he 
appeared  to  his  disciples  at  different  times,  and  divers 
places,  after  his  resurrection;  but  as  he  appears  in  glorified 
humanity,  as  the  great  mediator,  at  the  right  hand  of  the 
throne  of  the  Majesty  in  the  heavens.  'The  three  disci- 
ples, Peter,  -lames,  and  John,  had  a  glimpse  of  that  glory 


284  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

on  the  mount  of  transfiguration,  Stephen  when  he  was 
dying,  Paul  on  his  way  to  Damascus,  and  John  in  the  Isle 
of  Patmos.  So  that  while  the  saints  shall  be  raised  to 
immortality,  their  bodies  shall  be  changed  and  fashioned 
like  the  glorious  or  glorified  body  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  so 
that  they  shall  be  like  him,  for  they  shall  see  him  as  he  is, 
not  as  he  ivas.  The  wicked  shall  be  raised  too,  to  immor- 
tality; but  not  to  eternal  life,  but  to  everlasting  shame 
and  contempt;  for  they  are  to  be  'punished  with  everlasting 
destruction  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord  and  the  glory 
of  his  power.'  'These  shall  go  away  into  everlasting 
punishment,  but  the  righteous  into  life  eternal.  So  far 
the  pure,  unerring  light  of  revelation  leads  the  way,  and 
so  far  we  may  go  with  certainty. 

"I  would  write  more  on  this  important  subject,  but  have 
had  a  pretty  severe  attack  of  rheumatism.     Farewell." 

In  March,  1847,  Mr.  Quinn  suffered  a  most  severe  ill- 
ness from  inflammatory  rheumatism.  As  soon  as  I  reached 
Hillsboro  I  heard  of  his  extreme  illness,  and  that  he  de- 
sired me  to  visit  him.  On  the  28th  of  the  month  we 
closed  our  quarterly  meeting  in  that  station,  and  I  deter- 
mined to  devote  the  next  day  principally  to  the  service  of 
my  afflicted  senior  brother.  His  old  friend,  Mr.  G.  Crum, 
accompanied  me  to  "the  Pioneer's  Rest."  When  we 
arrived  we  found  he  had  suffered  exceedingly  for  three 
weeks.  The  severity  of  the  pain  had  well-nigh  exhausted 
all  his  strength,  and  he  was  nearly  helpless.  It  was 
thought,  however,  he  had  passed  the  crisis  of  the  attack, 
and  if  the  violent  pain  did  not  return,  he  might  soon  be 
restored  to  a  somewhat  comfortable  condition  of  health. 
Ik-  was  gradually  gaining  strength,  and  could  converse  in 
a  very  low  tone  of  voice,  without  much  fatigue.  He  had 
endured,  in  a^part  of  his  affliction,  a  dreary  season  of  de- 
pression and  gloom.  The  enemy  had  thrust  sorely  at  him, 
but  he  soon  obtained  a  comfortable  view  into  the  upper 


LIFE  AND   LABORS  OF  JAMES  Ql  INN. 

sanctuary,  as  he  expressed  it,  and  the  cloud  bursted,  and 
his  soul  triumphed  in  the  rock  and  God  of  his  salvation; 
and  I  found  him  happy  in  the  supposed  near  approach  of 
death,  and  in  the  prospect  of  eternity.  While  conversing 
on  death  and  the  glory  which  is  to  follow,  his  ryes  seemed 
to  sparkle  with  the  sacred  fires  of  religion,  his  soul  1><  ing 
inspired  by  the  hope  of  immortality  and  eternal  life.  I 
need  not  say  it  afforded  me  sincere  pleasure  to  sit  for 
hours  at  his  bedside,  and  receive  again  from  his  feeble  lips 
words  of  edification  and  comfort.  He  commenced  repeat- 
ing, then  referred  me  to  a  piece  of  poetry,  which  he  judged 
well  suited  to  an  old  man.  It  was  evident,  however,  he 
admired  and  adopted  its  language  as  expressive  of  his  own 
views  and  feelings  in  old  ao-e.     It  was  as  follows: 

"  Days  of  my  youth,  ye  have  glided  away, 
Hairs  of  ray  youth,  ye  are  frosted  and  gray; 
Eyes  of  my  youth,  your  keen  sight  is  no  more; 
Cheeks  of  ray  youth,  ye  are  furrowed  all  o'er; 
Strength  of  my  youth,  all  your  vigor  is  gone; 
Thoughts  of  ray  youth,  your  gay  visions  are  flown. 

Days  of  my  youth,  I  wish  not  your  recall; 
Hairs  of  ray  youth,  I'm  content  ye  should  fall; 
Eyes  of  my  youth,  ye  much  evil  have  seen; 
Cheek<  of  my  youth,  bathed  in  tears  ye  have  been: 
Thoughts  of  my  youth,  ye  have  led  me  astray; 
Strength  of  ray  youth,  why  lament  your  decay'.' 

Days  of  my  age,  ye  will  shortly  be  passed, 
Pains  of  ray  age,  yet  awhile  may  ye  Last; 
Joys  of  my  age,  in  true  wisdom  delight; 
Eyes  of  my  age,  be  religion  your  light ; 
Thoughts  of  my  age,  dread  ye  not  the  cold  sod; 
Hopes  of  my  age,  be  ye  fixed  on  your  God." 

I  remained  with  him  till  after  4  o'clock,  P.  M.J  read 
the  fifth  chapter  <>!'  Job,  and  offered  up  prayers,  interces- 
sions, and  giving  of  thanks  in  the  family  circle,  and  at  the 
bedside  of  my  Buffering  brother.  It  Beemed  to  be  a  season 
of  special  grace  and  interest  to  all  present 


286  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

He  desired  that  all  should  leave  the  room,  having  a  few 
things  to  say  to  me  alone.  When  all  had  retired  he  pro- 
ceeded, with  the  utmost  calmness,  to  give  me  some  instruc- 
tion in  regard  to  his  funeral  and  interment.  He  requested 
that  when  his  remains  should  be  prepared,  and  the  proper 
time  for  their  interment  arrived,  that  a  short  service  be 
performed  at  the  house,  including  reading  a  portion  of 
Scripture,  exhortation,  and  prayer.  And  at  the  place  of 
interment  he  desired  that  the  whole  of  the  burial  service 
should  be  read.  He  then  added,  "If  any  thing  more 
should  be  thought  necessary,  let  there  be  a  time  and  place 
appointed,  when  all  my*  children  can  attend,  and  a  funeral 
sermon  preached."  He  desired  that  the  writer  should 
preach  the  sermon,  if  alive  and  could  attend;  and  de- 
sired also  that  he  should  perform  the  service  at  his  burial, 
if  convenient. 

In  humility  he  remarked,  "I  wish  nothing  unnecessary 
said — no  eulogy.  I  am  of  low  origin — converted  in  my 
youth,  and  thrust  out  into  the  work  by  others  rather  than 
myself.  Of  my  God  I  deserve  nothing,  but  I  do  believe 
I  deserve  the  confidence  of  my  brethren,  both  of  the  min- 
istry and  laity.  I  have  spent  and  am  spent  in  the  service 
of  the  Church."  This  was  an  affecting  interview  to  me, 
and  it  now  seems  if  I  had  not  written  his  words  soon  after 
they  were  spoken,  I  would  scarcely  have  forgotten  them, 
as  they  made  such  an  impression  on  my  mind.  I  left  this 
house  of  mourning  under  a  very  pleasant  persuasion 
that  I  should  meet  him  again  on  earth,  and  have  another 
opportunity  of  conversing  with  him  on  various  subjects 
of  interest  to  myself  and  others.  And  so  it  was.  He 
recovered  and  enjoyed  nearly  his  usual  health  for  several 
months. 

This  aged  minister,  having  served  in  that  high  vocation 
nearly  half  a  century,  and  under  circumstances  of  a  strik- 
ing and  eventful  character,  must   have  realized   a  most 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  2U7 

exquisite  pleasure  in  the  remembrance  of  the  past.  From 
his  point  of  observatioii  the  whole  <>f  the  checkered  scene', 

through  which  he  had  been  conducted,  appeared  spread 
<-ut  before  him.  The  mixed  cup  of  which  he  drank  was 
still  in  hand,  and  all  the  variety  that  filled  it  at  every 
period  recollected.  Opportunities  of  doing  good  were 
looked  upon  as  the  golden  spots  of  time;  and  even  the 
toils  and  sufferings  endured,  now  that  they  were  past, 
appeared  light  and  momentary,  and  formed  green  places 
along  the  journey  of  life.  And  0,  what  comfort  must 
the  reflection  have  afforded  him,  that  they  would  ulti- 
mately form  a  constellation  of  brilliant  stars  in  the  crown 
of  his  rejoicing  in  heaven,  when  permitted  to  receive  that 
"exceeding  great  and  eternal  weight  of  glory!" 

Hear  him  tell  the  tale  of  some  of  his  hardships,  as 
follows: 

"My  first  missionary  excursion,  up  the  Hockhocking 
Valley,  was  performed  in  the  last  month  of  the  last  year 
of  the  eighteenth  century.  Leaving  the  vicinity  of  Mari- 
etta, I  ascended  the  Muskingum  to  the  mouth  of  Wolf 
creek;  there  I  took  the  trace  to  Athens,  and  the  falls  of 
Hocking.  But,  taking  the  right  hand  trace,  I  left  Athens 
to  the  left  hand;  and,  passing  through  Amestown,  I  struck 
Hockhocking  at  the  identical  spot  where  Nelsonville  now 
stands.  There,  at  the  root  of  a  lovely  beech-tree,  I  tried 
to  pray,  and  pleaded  the  promise,  'Lo,  I  am  with  you.' 
Bless  the  Lord!  While  I  pen  this  my  eyes  fill  up  with 
tears;  but  they  are  not  the  tears  of  grief  and  sorrow. 
Having  given  my  horse  his  mess  of  corn,  and  eat  my  piece 
of  pome  and  meat,  I  cut  my  name  on  the  beech,  mounted 
poor  Wilks,  and  went  ahead.  Between  sundown  and 
dark,  I  reached  the  old  Indian  town  near  the  falls.  Here 
I  found  three  families.  They  came  together,  and  I 
preached  to  them  salvation  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  and  they 
appeared  to  feel  their  need  of  a  Savior.     I  passed  on  up 


288  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

the  river,  as  far  as  there  were  settlements,  spending  near 
a  week  with  the  people,  chiefly  in  the  vicinity  of  where 
Lancaster  now  is.  I  then  returned  by  the  way  I  had 
come,  and  stopped  again  at  my  beech-tree.  I  saw  it  again 
after  the  lapse  of  several  years;  but  the  people  have  taken 
it  away,  and  have  put  a  town  there;  and  the  Lord  hath 
planted  a  Church  and  recorded  his  name  there.  And  if 
the  people  of  that  little  city  were  to  cast  an  eye  down  to 
the  bank  of  their  little  river,  and  let  imagination  run  back 
to  the  beginning  of  the  present  century-,  they  might  see, 
with  the  mind's  eye,  what  angels  oft  have  seen — a  lonely 
missionary,  meekly  kneeling  at  the  root  of  a  tree,  far  from 
human  habitation,  devoutly  praying,  that  the  wilderness 
and  solitary  places  might  be  made  glad  and  blossom  as 
the  rose,  and  desert  places  learn  the  joys. 

"The  Hockhocking  Valley  is  not  wide,  and  the  country 
on  each  side  is  rather  hilly;  but  it  is  moderately  good 
farming  land,  and  abounds  with  coal  and  iron  ore.  The 
lateral  cut  from  the  great  Ohio  canal,  passing  down  this 
valley,  from  the  head,  through  Lancaster,  to  the  mouth, 
will  be  of  great  utility  to  the  country. 

"Saturday  night  found  me  at  Athens,  or  I  found  my- 
self there,  and  in  comfortable  lodgings  at  the  house  of  a 
Mr.  Stevens.  The  people  came  together  on  the  next  day, 
which,  I  think,  was  the  first  Sabbath  of  January,  1800. 
I  took  for  my  text  St.  Paul's  language  to  the  Athenians 
of  old  times,  '  Of  this  ignorance,'  etc.  It  was  a  solemn 
time.  There  were  a  few  Methodists  then  in  the  region 
round  about,  and  their  hearts  were  made  to  leap  for  joy. 
My  senior,  the  Rev.  Jesse  Stoneman — now  with  God — was 
an  excellent  man,  and  a  good  preacher.  He  exerted  a 
favorable  influence,  and  good  was  done.  Methodism  has 
had  an  embodied  existence  in  Athens  and  its  vicinity  ever 
since.  Though  at  times  very  feeble,  yet  the  circuit  has 
had  the  regular  supply  of  approved  ministers,  with  their 


I.M  K    \M>   LABORS  OF  JAMES   QTINN.  289 

diversity  of  gifts,  by  annual  appointment.  And  thus  the 
sanctuary  privileges  of  more  than  two  thousand  two  hun- 
dred Sabbaths  have  been  secured  to  that  people,  by  the 
men  who  counted  not  their  lives  dear  to  themselves — 
whose  speech  and  whose  preaching  was  not  with  enticing 
words  of  man's  wisdom. 

"But  I  find  I  can  not  go  into  detail,  or  give  incidents  in 
minutise;  my  strength  of  body  and  mind  forbids  me  to 
advance  further.  One  thing,  however,  I  wish  to  notice,  to 
the  glory  of  God;  it  is  this:  that  the  revivals  and  awak- 
enings with  which  Athens  has  been  favored  from  time  to 
time,  have  sometimes  reached  the  University;  and  a  good 
number  of  young  men — students — in  attending  upon  the 
plain,  searching  ministry  of  plain,  uneducated  men,  who 
never  read  the  Bible,  or  heard  the  Gospel  in  any  other 
than  their  own  tongue  wherein  they  were  born,  have  been 
powerfully  awakened,  and  happily  converted  to  God,  and 
brought  into  the  Church,  in  which  they  now  stand  as  con- 
spicuous ministers  and  pillars  in  our  Zion.  I  could  name 
some  five  or  six  of  them  who  would  not  blush  to  own  that 
unpretending,  humble-minded,  meek-spirited  little  man, 
Henry  S.  Fernandes,  as  the  instrument  of  good  to  them. 
Well  they  may  give  a  plain  marble  slab,  at  the  head  of 
his  grave,  at  Rushville,  0.  Seven  or  eight  good  preachers 
have  been  gathered  in  the  bounds  of  Athens  circuit.  Our 
ministry  is  certainly  improving,  in  a  literary  point  of  view. 
The  style,  both  in  writing  and  speaking,  is  undergoing  a 
great  change.  Some  of  our  periodical  writers  can  say  so 
many  pretty  things,  and  say  them  in  such  a  pretty  style, 
that  they  appear  wholly  absorbed  in  their  theme.  But 
the  lights  of  science,  and  the  ardor  of  vouth,  bursting 
on  the  raptured  vision,  impelling  them  onward  and  up- 
ward, it  ought  not  to  be  thought  strange  if  some  of  their 
pieces  should  smack  a  little  of  romance  or  fiction.  They 
will  do  better  when  th^y  get  older,  and  obtain  more  grace. 

"< 


290  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

Mr.  Wesley  said,  when  somewhat  advanced  in  years,  'I 
have  learned,  by  the  grace  of  God,  to  use  fewer  words, 
both  in  speaking  and  writing,  than  formerly.'  He  was  a 
good  example." 

In  May  of  1847  we  held  our  quarterly  meeting  for 
Highland  circuit  in  Mr.  Quinn's  own  neighborhood,  and 
some  from  a  distance  had  the  pleasure  of  visiting  "t&e 
Pioneer's  Rest."  The  meeting  was  profitable  throughout. 
Mr.  Quinn  gave  us  several  very  appropriate  and  useful 
addresses.  The  love-feast  was  a  time  of  unusual  interest. 
He  made  the  closing  speech,  and,  with  other  very  perti- 
nent remarks,  he  addressed  the  young  people  of  the 
Church,  saying  when  he  determined  to  be  religious  he 
never  made  any  other  calculation  than  to  spend  his  life  in 
the  service  of  God.  And  he  was  sorry  to  see  so  many 
start  in  the  good  way,  and  then  turn  back.  Said  he, 
"Although  I  travel  so  slowly,  yet  I  endeavor  to  make 
sure  work.  Some,  who  started  about  the  same  time  I  did, 
far  outstripped  me  in  the  race.  After  a  while  I  met  them 
returning  to  the  world  and  sin  again."  He  then  warned 
all  of  the  great  danger  of  backsliding,  and  subjoined  an 
impressive  exhortation  to  firmness  and  perseverance  in 
religion,  stating  that  such  alone  as  endured  to  the  end 
could  be  saved. 

Soon  after  this  meeting  he  accompanied  me  to  the  Bain- 
bridge  quarterly  meeting  at  Louden  Church,  in  the  midst 
of  his  old  friends.  Mrs.  Quinn  was  so  much  concerned 
for  his  comfort  and  safety,  when  he  would  leave  home, 
that  she  would  enjoin  it  on  me  to  lodge  in  the  same  room 
with  him,  which  I  was  careful  to  do.  The  first  day  we 
reached  his  kind  friend  Heigh's,  near  Belfast.  He  was 
fatigued,  and  retired  early.  When  I  assisted  him  to  bed, 
and  placed  the  covering  over  him,  he  exclaimed,  with  deep 
emotion  and  fervor,  'Thank  God  for  a  good  bed!  My 
Savior  had  not  where  to  lay  his  head!"     In  the  morning 


I. n  K  AM)   LABORS  OF  JAMES  Ql  INN.  291 

ho  awoke  greatly  refreshed  with  resl  and  Bleep,  and  re- 
peated  several  pieces  <>t"  the  most  appropriate  and  beau- 
tiful poetry,  committed  in  his  younger  days,  in  praise  to 
his  kind  Preserver.  II<-  said  lie  had  not  thought  of  these 
pieces  tor  many  years.  It  was  pleasant  to  hear  him  refer 
to  the  solicitude  his  good  wife  felt  for  him,  and  say, 
"If  my  dear  wife  could  only  know  how  well  I  feel  this 
morning,  she  would  be  greatly  delighted." 

This  will  furnish  to  the  reader  a  specimen  of  his  usual 
comfort  through  the  night,  and  his  joy  in  the  morning. 
And  though  they  may  be  esteemed  small  things,  yet,  as 
an  index,  they  show  his  heart  was  right,  and  filled  with 
gratitude. 

It  was  in  this  tour  that  he  bestowed  great  praise  upon 
the  excellent  horse  which  conveyed  us  so  safely,  remarking 
he  was  afraid  some  thief  would  steal  that  horse  from 
me.  I  have  no  idea  he  had  the  spirit  of  prophecy  about 
the  matter,  but  the  horse  was  stolen  in  less  than  a  week, 
and  was  never  recovered. 

Mr.  Quinn  indulged  an  ardent  solicitude  all  the  year, 
that  he  might  be  permitted  to  meet  his  brethren  once  more 
in  conference;  and  the  Lord,  in  his  good  providence, 
granted  him  the  desire  of  his  heart.  Our  session  was 
held  at  Columbus,  September  1,  1847.  He  reached  the 
place  in  good  time,  suffering  only  from  his  extreme  de- 
bility and  shortness  of  breath.  His  brethren  rejoiced  at 
his  coming,  and  made  him  as  comfortable  as  they  could. 
We  met  in  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  he  was  accom- 
modated with  a  cushioned  seat.  I  think  he  was  in  con- 
ference every  day,  and  while  we  had  but  one  session  a 
day  he  remained  all  the  time,  and  manifested  much  inter- 
est in  the  business.  When  his  name  was  called,  he  was 
courteously  invited  by  the  president  to  address  the  con- 
ference. 

When  our  senior  and  venerable  brother  rose  to  speak, 


292  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

the  scene  was  most  solemn  and  affecting.  In  addition  to 
the  large  conference  there  was  a  multitude  of  interested 
spectators  present,  nearly  filling  the  house.  His  voice, 
though  feeble  and  tremulous,  could  be  heard  in  every  part 
of  the  large  church  in  the  almost  breathless  silence  that 
prevailed.  All  heard  him  with  intense  interest,  and  many 
with  deep  emotion;  for  the  supposition  was  universal  that  his 
voice  would  never  be  heard  in  another  annual  conference. 
As  soon  as  he  had  resumed  his  seat,  the  conference,  by  a 
unanimous  vote,  requested  their  aged  brother  to  furnish 
the  substance  of  his  remarks,  for  publication  in  the  West- 
ern Christian  Advocate  and  in  the  Christian  Advocate  and 
Journal. 

The  writer,  as  his  amanuensis,  assisted  him  in  preparing 
his  address  for  publication,  which  may,  in  truth,  be  de- 
nominated his  farewell  address.  This  was  the  last 
time  many  of  his  brethren  ever  heard  the  sound  of  his 
voice,  which  was  soon  after  silenced  by  the  paralyzing 
touch  of  death.     The  following  is  the  address: 

"Dear  Brethren, — My  connection  with  the  Methodist 
itinerancy  commenced  in  May,  1799,  so  that  I  now  num- 
ber seven  times  seven  years  in  close  and  confidential  min- 
isterial fellowship  with  that  honorable  and  pious  fraternity, 
nor  have  I  ever  desired  or  sought  for  a  connection  or  fel- 
lowship with  any  other.  I  never  shall  forget,  or  be  able 
fully  to  express,  the  emotions  of  my  heart,  upon  entering 
the  conference-room  at  Columbus.  A  number  of  the 
preachers  arose  to  receive  me,  and  I  was  conducted  to  a 
cushioned  seat  in  front  of  the  bishop's  table.  I  had  not 
expected  ever  to  be  at  another  conference;  but  lo,  I  am 
here!  A  poor  worm,  I  deserve  not  the  honor  conferred 
upon  me  by  those  strong  and  repeated  expressions  of 
more  than  mere  respect.  I  sank  down  into  my  seat,  and 
wept.  Sorrow  and  joy  were  both  mingled  with  those 
tears.     Truly  it  was  a  state  of  feeling  in  which  I  was 


LIFE  AM)   I.AHOKS  OJT  JAMES  QUIKN.  293 

willing  to  remain;  bnl  the  strong  emotion  of  my  full  soul 

subsided  in  some  degree,  and  I  raised  my  eyes  and  looked 
over  the  conference,  and  thought,  'Well,  this  is  the  Ohio 
conference;  and  they  say  there  are  about  two  hundred 
preachers  in  attendance,  and  dressed  in  fine  cloth  and  good 
Btyle — the  people  say  a  little  too  stylish  for  ministers.' 
My  mind  soon  ran  back  to  my  first  entrance  into  the  West- 
ern conference,  which  was  held  October  2,  1804,  at  Mt. 
Gerizim,  near  Cynthiana,  in  Kentucky.  Of  those  who 
composed  that  conference,  only  brother  Jacob  Young 
remains  on  the  effective  list.  Brother  David  Young  and 
brother  J.  B.  Finley,  who  came  in  a  few  years  after,  and 
remained  till  the  Western  conference  was  divided,  yet  live 
and  are  witli  us.  But  brother  Young  is  an  old  superan- 
nuated man,  as  well  as  brother  Lakin;  and  brother  Finley 
looks  as  if  he  would  not  live  always.  Of  the  thirty-seven 
preachers  who  composed  that  conference,  but  few,  very 
few,  remain;  some  located,  and  yet  linger.  Some  few  are 
truly  superannuated,  and  are  found  on  that  list;  but  i In- 
most of  them,  having  served  their  generation,  have  fallen 
asleep.     Ah,  we  were  a  band  of  brothers  in  truth. 

'And  if  our  fellowship  below, 
In  Jesus  was  so  sweet; 
Whal  hight  of  rapture  shall  we  know, 

When  round  his  throne  we  meet  I J 

But  I  yet  sorrow,  being  still  tossed  upon  the  sea  of  dis- 
tress. And  again  I  wept.  But  I  look  over  the  conference 
again,  wipe  my  weeping  eyes,  and  rejoice  in  spirit;  and,  in 
almost  ecstasy,  exclaim,  'What  hath  God  wrought!'  Jn 
1800  J.  Kobler  was  in  the  Miami  Valley;  Henry  Smith 
was  in  the  Scioto  Valley;  and  James  Quinn  in  the  Mus- 
kingum  and  Hocking  Valley.  They  were  all  truly  mis- 
sionaries. Withou!  funds  they  w<  forth 
'without  purse  <>r  scrip;'  but  He  who  sen!  them  not  only 
went  before  them,  but  came  with  them. 
.25* 


294  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

"In  1804  thirty-seven — including  probationers — com- 
posed the  Western  conference.  They  were  mostly  clad  in 
'homespun,'  such  as  their  good  mothers,  sisters,  and 
wives  carded,  spun,  and  wove  for  them — often  vicing  with 
each  other,  whose  son,  brother,  husband,  or  preacher, 
should  have  the  finest  and  best  suit  to  go  to  conference  in. 
It  must  be  confessed,  that  our  ladies  of  that  day  knew 
more  about  distaffs,  wool,  cotton,  and  flax,  than  they  did 
about  pianos,  etc.;  but  they  could  read,  and  sing,  and 
shout,  walk  some  distance  to  meeting  rather  than  not 
attend,  talk  in  class  and  love-feast,  encourage  mourners, 
and  pray,  as  if  they  would  bring  heaven  and  earth  to- 
gether. 0,  I  love  to  think  of  those  times  long  gone  by. 
But  to  return  to  the  conference:  we  all  got  up  stairs  at  old 
brother  Coleman's,  and  a  melting,  moving  time  we  had  of 
it.  Bishops  Asbury  and  Whatcoat  had  fallen  sick;  and  in 
the  absence  of  both,  we  elected  William  M'Kendree  to 
preside  over  us.  I  never  attended  a  conference  where 
more  of  the  Divine  presence  was  realized. 

"I  was  a  graduate  of  the  Baltimore  conference,  and 
labored  under  its  jurisdiction  five  years,  during  which 
time  I  had  traveled,  by  the  direction  of  the  presiding 
elder,  parts  of  one  year  on  Muskingum,  Kanawha,  and 
Hockhocking;  and,  in  1801,  was  appointed  to  Erie  circuit, 
which,  at  that  time,  included  a  large  part  of  the  Erie  con- 
ference as  it  now  is.  In  1804  I  was,  with  consent,  trans- 
ferred to  the  Western  conference.  From  my  first  entrance 
into  the  ministry,  I  had  looked  with  interest  to  this  coun- 
try as  my  field  of  labor.  Indeed,  before  I  believed  a  dis- 
pensation of  the  Gospel  was  committed  to  me,  I  intended, 
with  compass,  quadrant,  chain,  scales,  and  dividers,  to 
make  my  fortune  here;  but  the  Lord  had  other  business 
for  me,  and  sent  me  here,  as  I  humbly  trust,  to  spend  my 
strength,  and  life,  and  pains,  to  take  up  and  cultivate 
Immanuel's  lands.     When  I  crossed  the   Ohio  river,  at 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  U.I  INN.  295 

Wheeling,  although  I  had  to  borrow  six  dollars  from  a 
friend  (<»  pay  my  expenses  to  my  assigned  field  of  labor, 
my  heart  said,  '1  will  very  gladly  spend  and  be  spent  for 

this  people. ' 

"As  L  had  passed  my  probation  and  entered  my  twenty- 
ninth  year,  I  judged  it  proper  for  me  to  enter  the  holy- 
estate  of  matrimony,  which  1  did  'reverently,  discreetly, 
advisedly,  and  in  the  fear  of  God.'  My  wife  was  an 
excellent  woman,  pious  from  her  youth,  'of  a  meek  and 
quiet  spirit.'  She  was  my  companion  in  tribulation,  and 
helped  me  much  in  the  Lord.  I  can  say,  in  truth,  we 
were  joined  in  one  spirit  to  our  Head,  and  were  ready  to 
go  wherever  he  appointed.  For  nineteen  years  and  eight 
months  she  was  truly  a  helpmate,  and  then  sweetly  slept 
in  Jesus,  leaving  me  with  five  motherless  daughters:  these 
have  all  grown  up,  married,  and,  I  trust,  embraced  relig- 
ion. One  of  them,  since  her  marriage,  died  shouting 
'victory,'  and  is  gone  to  rest.  Well,  here  is  Hocking,  the 
center  of  the  territory  over  which  the  circuit  is  to  spread. 
Beginning  at  Lancaster,  thence  it  ran  to  the  settlements  on 
Clear  creek,  Salt  creek,  Canicanick,  Sippo,  Pikehold,  and 
Walnut  creek,  to  Highbank,  below  Chilicothe;  thence  up 
the  Scioto,  by  the  meanderings  of  the  river,  on  the  east 
side,  till  we  came  within  a  few  miles  of  Columbus;  thence 
along  the  Walnut  creek  valley  till  we  fell  over  on  the  Lick- 
ing waters,  embracing  Hog  run,  Newark,  Mt.  Vernon,  Co- 
shocton, Walkatomaka,  Zanesville,  Jonathan's,  and  Rush 
creek,  to  the  place  of  beginning.  In  this  field  of  labor  we 
had  twenty-eight  or  thirty  appointments  to  fill  every  four 
weeks.  I  continued  here  eighteen  months,  living  in  a 
small  cabin  of  my  own  providing,  and  received  about  one 
hundred  dollars  as  quarterage.  At  the  end  of  this  term, 
I  was  appointed  to  Scioto  circuit,  nearly  or  quite  as  exten- 
sive in  territory  as  Hocking,  and  embracing  as  many 
appointments.      Here    I   traveled    a   full   calendar   year, 


296  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

visiting  my  home  once  a  month,  spending  two  days  there, 
which  I  had  to  redeem  by  preaching  twice  a  day  for  nearly 
a  week,  and  riding  fifty  miles  out  and  in.  This  year  I 
received  one  hundred  and  sixty  dollars,  the  full  allowance 
of  a  married  preacher.  In  those  days  we  had  nothing 
allowed  for  house  rent,  fuel,  or  table  expenses.  This  drove 
many  excellent  men  from  the  itinerant  ranks  into  location, 
where  they  became  lawyers,  doctors,  merchants,  farmers, 
etc.;  but  thanks  be  to  the  great  Head  of  the  Church,  he 
helped  us,  and  we  saw  his  pleasure  prospering,  the  wilder- 
ness and  the  solitary  places  blossom  as  the  rose,  and  the 
Gospel  standard  planted  where  the  Redeemer's  name  had 
not  been  known  or  sung.  There,  there  the  blood-stained 
banner  has  continued  to  wave  for  almost  half  a  century. 
I  never  have  forgotten  the  evening  when,  at  the  cabin  of 
old  brother  Groom,  a  few  miles  east  of  Columbus,  which, 
at  that  time,  was  an  unbroken  forest,  we  preached  Jesus 
and  the  resurrection,  planted  the  standard  of  the  Prince 
of  peace,  recorded  and  called  upon  his  name,  and  he 
blessed  and  made  our  hearts  glad.  The  standard  there 
remains,  and  many  have  flocked  around  it  in  the  forty- 
three  years  which  have  rolled  around  since  that  blessed 
day.  We  organized,  classed,  and  collected  all  that  could 
be  made  available  into  action — local  preachers,  exhorters, 
leaders,  private  members  of  gifts,  both  male  and  female, 
and  all  united,  striving  too-ether  for  the  faith  of  the  Gos- 
pel.  Truly,  the  Lord  showed  to  us,  that  he  could  furnish 
a  table  in  the  wilderness.  At  that  time  there  was  not  a 
Methodist  meeting-house  in  all  the  Scioto  Valley;  and  it  is 
now  just  forty- one  years  since  I  called  together  the  board 
of  trustees,  who  caused  to  be  built  the  first  Methodist 
meeting-house  in  all  this  great  and  rich  valley — the  old 
brick  house  in  Chilicothe.  Dr.  Tiffin,  the  first  governor 
of  Ohio,  and  Judge  Scott,  were  members  of  this  board. 
They  are  all  gone  now  to  the  house  not  made  with  hands, 


LIFE  AND   LAB0R3  OF  JAMES  QIINN.  297 

except  Judge  Scott.  He  is  an  extraordinary  man,  both 
for  intellectual  and  physical  strength,  at  his  time  of  life; 
but  the  strong  men  are  beginning  to  bow  themselves. 

"The  old  house  was  consumed  by  fire  more  than 
twenty-five  years  ago,  and  a  much  larger  one  built  in  its 
place.  And  within  a  few  years,  they  have  erected  a  second 
church,  quite  superior  to  the  former,  and  have  divided 
Chilicothe  into  two  important  pastoral  charges.  I  had  a 
great  desire  to  attend  the  opening  of  this  new  house,  from 
curiosity  or  something  else,  as  1  had  preached  to  the  Sab- 
bath congregation  in  this  place  in  a  private  room,  and  met 
the  class  up  stairs,  to  avoid  turning  the  family  out  of 
doors.  I  heard  that  the  house  was  to  be  dedicated  shortly; 
waited  for  a  call,  but  heard  none,  and  so  it  passed  by. 
Truly,  'the  little  one  has  become  a  thousand.'  In  all 
three  of  those  rich  valleys,  there  are  many  spacious  and 
convenient  meeting-houses,  where  large  congregations  and 
societies  statedly  assemble  to  worship  God.  Indeed,  'the 
Lord  hath  done  great  things  for  us,  whereof  we  are  glad.' 
Blessed  be  his  holy  name!  But  should  we  not  rejoice 
with  some  fear?  Let  the  Methodists  beware,  lest  pride 
creep  in  and  destroy  their  simplicity,  purity,  and  power. 
When  Jeshurun  waxed  fat,  he  kicked.  It  was  to  keep 
Paul  from  being  exalted  above  measure  through  the 
abundance  of  the  revelations,  that  there  was  given  him  a 
thorn  in  the  flesh.  I  am  now  old  and  feeble,  and  know 
not  the  day  of  my  departure.  I  see  and  hear  many  things 
that  grieve  me,  but  Jesus  reigns  King  in  Zion,  and  because 
he  lives  the  rhurch  shall  live  also.  Thank-  he  to  Uod,  I 
have  seen,  and  still  see  and  hear  many  things  which  cause 
my  poor  heart  to  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  while  mine  eyes  run 
down  with  tears.  Ah,  what  I  feel  1  can  not  well  ex] 
It  is  a  bitter  sweet;  a  sorrow'  full  of  joy:  sorrowful,  vet 
rejoicing;  dying,  and  behold  we  live.  1  have  seen  the 
goings  forth  of  the   Lord  Jehovah — have  witnessed  the 


298  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

stately  steppings  of  the  Prince  of  peace,  and  heard  his 
chariot  wheels!  '0,  what  shall  we  render  unto  the  Lord 
for  all  his  benefits?  We  will  take  the  cup  of  salvation,  and 
call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord.' 

"In  almost  every  place  I  go,  I  meet  the  grand  and  great 
grandchildren  of  those  loved  ones  in  whose  houses,  or, 
rather,  cabins,  I  lodged  and  preached  more  than  forty 
years  ago,  yea,  before  these  were  born,  but  they  are  now 
the  happy  subjects  of  the  second  birth,  and  on  their  way 
to  heaven — 

'  Traveling  home  to  God 
In  the  way  their  fathers  trod.' 

Yea,  some  of  them  are  on  the  walls  of  Zion,  with  the  silver 
trumpet  in  hand,  sounding  forth  the  joyful  news  of  re- 
demption and  salvation,  through  Christ.  In  looking  over 
this  conference,  I  count  nine  elders,  whose  grandfathers 
were  among  the  first  to  receive  preaching  into  their  houses, 
and  entertain  the  preachers.  Peace  to  their  memory!  I 
loved  them  much,  and  hope  to  live  with  them  forever. 
Here,  too,  I  see  two  great  grandsons  of  one  who  embraced 
Methodism  in  the  time  of  block -houses,  Indian  hostilities, 
and  savage  cruelty.  I  might  add  two  more  from  Ken- 
tucky, and  two  from  Indiana.  0,  my  heart  is  full.  I  do 
love  the  young  men.  May  they  live  long  and  be  very  useful! 
The  young  men  of  this  conference  treat  me  with  great 
kindness.  God  bless  them!  I  hope  they  will  continue  to 
pray  for  me.  No  doubt  God  hears  and  answers  the  prayer 
of  faith.  I  have  often  heard  that  man  of  God,  Bishop 
Asbury,  pray  in  families  to  this  effect:  '  God  be  gracious 
to,  and  bless  this  household  in  all  their  generations  to  the 
latest  posterity;  yea,  let  thy  mercy  be  shown  to  thousands 
of  them  that  may  love  thee,  and  keep  thy  commandments;' 
and  to  this  prayer  we  have  heartily  responded,  amen;  and 
although  it  grieves  me  to  say  the  glory  has  departed  from 
some  families,  and  Ichabod  is  written  on  them,  yet  the 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QMNN.  209 

candle  of  the  Lord  continues  in  the  habitation  of  others, 
and  we  sec  its  light  in  the  third,  fourth,  yea,  in  the  fifth 
generation. 

''There  is  one  other  thought  which  deeply  affects  my 

heart,  and  endears  these  brethren  to  the  warm  affections 
of  my  soul.  It  is  this:  for  more  than  twenty  years,  as  one 
of  the  seniors  of  the  conference,  I  have  been  called  to 
assist  the  Bishop  in  ordaining  the  elders,  so  that  these 
hands  have  been  laid  on  most  of  the  elders  of  this  confer- 
ence, and  on  many  of  other  conferences  in  the  west,  when 
they  took  the  vows  of  God  upon  them,  and  the  office  and 
work  of  elders  were  committed  to  them  by  the  laying-  on 
of  the  hands  of  the  presbytery,  and  prayer  made  that  they 
might  receive  the  Holy  Ghost  for  that  office  and  work. 
What  a  solemn  service!  What  sacred  vows!  Can  any  of 
those  who  have  taken  the  vows  upon  them  in  this  impress- 
ive manner,  lay  them  aside  and  enter  into  other  avocations 
of  a  worldly  and  secular  character?  0,  brethren,  read  your 
ordination  vows  frequently,  at  least  once  a  month.  Never, 
0  never,  shall  I  forget  the  time  and  place  when,  by  the 
imposition  of  the  hands  of  that  holy  man,  Richard  What- 
coat,  in  Light-street  Church,  Baltimore,  I  was  set  apart  for 
the  office  and  work  of  an  elder.  In  the  Wesleyan  suc- 
cession, he  stood  next  to  Wesley,  being  ordained  by  him, 
assisted  by  Coke  and  Craighton.  These  were  all  presbyters 
of  the  Church  of  England.  Whatcoat  was  the  first  Wes- 
leyan Methodist  presbyter,  and  assisted  in  the  ordination 
of  Mr.  Asbury.  With  respect  to  succession  in  the  ministry, 
if  'it  can  be  traced  in  any  line,  it  must  be  in  the  presbytery; 
and  if  it  be  there,  then  Wesley  had  it;  and  if  he  was  in  it, 
then  we  are  in  it.  But  grace,  gifts,  fruit,  these  are  the 
infallible  marks  of  the  true  succession.  If  Christ  be  with 
them,  then  he  hath  sent  them;  and  if  he  hath  sent  them, 
then  are  they  his  embassadors;  and  he  hath  said,  'He  that 
receive th  whomsoever  I  send,  receive th  me;  and  he  that 


300  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

receiveth  me,  receiveth  him  that  sent  me.'  But  need  we 
testimonials — letters  of  commendation?  See  them  in  mul- 
tiplied thousands,  in  living  epistles  throughout  the  land. 
To  these  we  refer.  They  are  our  epistles,  which  may  be 
known  and  read  of  all  men.  And  to  these  we  make  our 
appeal  and  say,  if  we  be  not  apostles  to  others,  yet, 
doubtless,  we  are  to  you;  for  the  signs  of  our  apostleship 
are  among  you.  I  have  been  acquainted  with  fourteen 
bishops  in  regular  succession  from  Bishop  Coke  to  Bishop 
Janes,  inclusive;  have  sat  in  conference  where  they  pre- 
sided; have  been  present  at  the  election  and  ordination  of 
eight  of  them;  eight  of  them  have  broken  bread  at  my 
table,  sheltered  under  my  roof,  and  prayed  with  my  family. 
Having  been  a  member  of  ei^ht  General  conferences,  I  have 
served  on  important  committees  with  several  of  these  men 
before  they  were  bishops.  With  some  of  them  I  have  been 
in  close  and  confidential  counsel  on  matters  of  great  in- 
terest to  the  Church,  and  I  am  free  to  say,  that  I  have 
found  them,  as  far  as  I  was  able  to  judge,  men  of  intelli- 
gence and  true  piety,  who  had  truth  and  righteousness, 
the  cause  of  God,  and  the  salvation  of  souls,  deeply  at 
heart — true  men,  and  worthy  of  the  office  and  important 
trust  committed  to  them.  The  office  never  has  been,  and, 
we  trust,  never  will  be,  a  sinecure. 

'•'The  whole  itinerant  plan  is  one  of  sacrifice,  responsi- 
bility, privation,  and  toil,  so  that  the  man  who  enters  this 
field  must  make  up  his  mind  to  endure  hardness  as  a  good 
soldier,  not  looking  for  accommodation,  seeking  promotion, 
or  asking  for  a  good  and  easy  place  in  which  to  labor.  I 
now  have  in  my  eye  a  senior  of  this  conference,  who,  when 
he  was  a  junior,  said  to  me,  in  a  letter,  'I  ask  no  accom- 
modation; the  poorest  circuit  in  the  conference  deserves  a 
better  minister  than  I  am.'  'Well,'  thought  I,  'that 
spirit  and  temper  of  mind  will  carry  a  man  through  the 
toils  and  privations  of  a  Methodist  itinerancy  thirty  or 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINX.  301 

forty  years,  if  the  machine  don't  break  or  wear  out.'  Mar- 
tin Ruter,  you  know,  was  a  learned  man,  and  the  first 
Methodist  D.  D.  in  tin-  world;  yet,  being  impelled  by  the 
true  itinerant  missionary  spirit,  he  left  the  presidency  of  a 
college  to  become  a  missionary  in  a  foreign  land.  He 
went  forth,  planted  the  standard  of  science  and  of  salva- 
tion, and  fll — mysterious  providence! — at  the  spot.  But 
the  name  of  Martin  Ruter  will  never  be  forgotten  in 
Texas  while  the  world  shall  stand. 

"  Gladly  have  I  spent  my  all  in  this  work,  and  long  have 
I  endeavored  to  serve  God  and  his  Church.  Thank  God, 
I  have  some  fruit  of  my  labor.  I  have  some  sons  in  the 
Gospel  ministry  on  both  sides  of  the  river.  I  have  been 
connected  with  you  nearly  half  a  century.  You  see  now 
I  am  like  a  reed  shaken  by  the  wind,  trembling  on  the 
brink  of  the  grave.  I  may  never  see  you  all  again.  0, 
may  Ave  meet  in  heaven!  Let  me  have  an  interest  in  your 
prayers,  that,  whether  I  live  or  die,  I  may  be  wholly  the 
Lord's." 

26 


302  SKETCHES  OF  THE 


CHAPTER  XYI. 

His  return  from  conference — Physical  condition — Enjoyment  of 
mind — Letter  to  Bishop  Janes — Kindly  acknowledged — Letter  of 
Bishop  Asbury — Attends  the  election — Gradually  declines — Hem- 
orrhage of  the  lungs — Conversed  "with  difficulty — Expatiates  on  the 
atonement  —  Extraordinary  eloquence  —  Long  preached  Christ  — 
Nothing  to  take  back — Favorable  offset — Visit  of  the  writer — State 
safe  and  happy — Blesses  his  household,  and  commends  them  to 
God — Sets  forth  his  own  state  by  the  experience  of  another — 
Family  collected — Reading  the  Scriptures,  and  prayer — Blessing 
pronounced  on  the  writer — All  is  peace — Death-bed  scene — Inter- 
ment and  funeral — Synopsis  of  the  sermon — Burial  service  read — 
How  his  tomb  may  be  found — Monument  at  his  grave — Inscrip- 
tion. 

Mr.  Quinn  left  Columbus  a  short  time  before  the  confer- 
ence closed,  and  previous  to  the  selection  of  the  place  of 
our  next  session.  When  some  of  the  preachers  overtook 
him,  his  first  inquiry  was,  "Where  will  the  next  confer- 
ence be  held?"  They  answered,  "Newark."  There  was 
nothing  said  for  some  time,  and  finally  he  broke  the  silence 
by  saying  to  Mrs.  Quinn  and  his  friend,  C.  Crum,  who 
were  in  the  carriage  with  him,  "You  have  no  idea  what  I 
have  been  thinking  about.  Strange  as  it  may  seem,  I  have 
been  trying  to  devise  a  plan  by  which  I  may  get  to  con- 
ference at  Newark  next  year." 

He  considered  the  goodness  of  God  strikingly  manifested 
in  the  preservation  of  his  life,  and  in  sustaining  him  so 
mercifully  in  the  journey,  and  while  at  conference.  He 
reached  his  home  in  peace  and  safety,  and  nearly  as  com- 
fortable in  his  physical  condition  as  when  he  left.  I  shall 
not  attempt  to  describe  the  high  satisfaction  of  mind  which 
he  realized,  after  having  the  privilege  of  meeting  with  his 
brethren  once  more  in  conference.  It  was  to  him  a  season 
of  inexpressible  enjoyment;  and  his  friends  were  also 
happy  in  the  pleasures  of  the  last  interview. 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUI.NN.  303 

Shortly  after  his  return,  he  wrote  the  following  letter  to 
Bishop  Janes: 

"September  28,  1847. 

"Respected  Brother, — I  have  forwarded  to  you  my 
parchments  of  Deacon's  Orders,  with  the  signature  and 
seal  of  i hat  holy  man  of  God,  Bishop  Whatcoat.  He, 
you  know,  was  Mr.  Wesley's  first  ordained  presbyter  or 
elder.  A  holier  man  I  never  knew.  0,  what  sweetness 
and  benignity  beamed  in  his  countenance!  And  truly  his 
conversation  was  with  grace  seasoned  with  salt.  In  1802 
I  enjoyed  his  society  for  two  weeks,  in  conducting  him 
through  parts  of  Maryland  and  Virginia.  In  him  I  saw 
what  I  think  is  implied  in  walking  with  God.  I  have 
often  thought  that  those  two  weeks  were  of  greater  profit 
to  me  than  six  months'  or  a  year's  training,  in  a  well- 
regulated  theological  seminary. 

"He  always  spoke  in  the  highest  terms  of  Bishop  As- 
bury,  whom  he  had  known  from  his  youth;  stating  that 
he  was  an  amiable  youth,  and  that  he  used  to  meet  him  in 
class  with  his  pious  mother. 

"As  a  further  matter  of  curiosity,  and  perhaps  some- 
thing more,  I  send  you  one  of  Mr.  Asbury's  original  let- 
ters, in  his  own  handwriting.  You  will  see  in  this,  the 
deep  interest  which  that  great  and  good  man  took  in  the 
flock  over  which,  no  doubt,  the  Holy  Ghost  had  made 
him  overseer.  You  will  also  perceive  the  responsibility  to 
which  he  held  presiding  elders;  and  what  he  expected  of 
them.  He  once  said  pleasantly — but  he  meant  what  he 
said — 'I  call  you  to  counsel,  not  to  govern  me.'  I  never 
knew  him  open  a  council  session  without  prayer.  I  shall 
never  forget  one  of  his  petitions:  '0,  for  wisdom  and 
grace  to  scatter  the  salt  of  the  earth  with  an  impartial 
hand!' 

"I  have  had  personal — though  not  intimate — acquaint- 
ance with  fourteen  bishops,  in  regular  Wesleyan  succession. 


304  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

I  have  sat  in  conference  with  each  of  them  when  they 
presided.  Six  of  them  have  broken  bread  at  my  table, 
and  lodged  under  my  roof. 

"All  I  can  do  now  is  to  pray  for  the  peace  of  Jerusa- 
lem. 

"Since  conference,  there  has  been  no  perceptible  change 
in  my  health;  still  I  am  very  feeble.  Though  no  acute 
pain,  still  'life  sinks  apace.'  '0,  that  the  word  of  his 
grace  may  comfort  me  through!' 

"I  hope  the  Head  of  the  Church  will  let  you  live  long, 
and  prepare  you  for  great  usefulness  in  the  Church  and 
the  world.     Amen. 

"Yours,  in  the  love  of  Christ." 

Bishop  Janes'  answer  is  now  before  me,  in  which  he 
gratefully  acknowledges  the  receipt  of  all  sent  him,  in  very 
courteous  and  affectionate  terms;  but  it  was  too  late,  being 
dated  the  third  day  after  Mr.  Quinn's  death. 

The  original  letter  of  Mr.  Asbury,  sent  to  Bishop  Janes, 
and  which  he  had  published  in  the  Christian  Advocate  and 
Journal,  was  addressed  to  Mr.  Quinn  while  he  was  presid- 
ing- elder  of  the  Muskingum  district.  It  is  laconic  and 
strong,  characteristic  of  the  man,  and  suited  to  the  times. 
I  make  no  apology  for  inserting  it  here. 

"Sejjtonber  24,  1812. 

"My  Dear  Son, — The  God  of  all  grace  and  wisdom, 
grant  to  us  grace  and  wisdom  as  Christian  ministers,  and 
eminently,  to  rule  in  our  Israel.  The  days  of  visitation 
are  come.  Israel  ought  to  know  it.  The  prudent  should 
keep  silent  in  this  time;  it  is  an  evil  time.  But  ye  that 
make  mention  of  the  Lord,  keep  not  silence.  Move 
heaven  with  your  prayers,  and  earth  with  your  cries. 
Cry  aloud,  spare  not,  lift  up  your  voice  like  a  trumpet! 
Diligence,  prudence,  courage,  perseverance.  You  will 
care  for  every  circuit,  every  society,  every  preacher,  every 
family,   and    every  soul    in    your   charge.     You   will   be 


I.TFE   AM)   LABORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  305 

planning  continually  to  extend  and  establish  the  Church 
of  God  in  your  section.  You  wiB  be  eyes,  ears,  mouth, 
and  wisdom,  from  us  to  the  people;  and  from  the  people 
to  us.  You  Mill  be  in  <»ur  Btead,  to  supply  our  absence. 
'Tis  order,  'ti-  system — under  God — that  hath  kept  us 
from  schism,  and  heresy,  and  division,  till  we  number  near 
two  hundred  thousand  in  membership;  congregate,  possi- 
bly,  three  millions.  No  doubt,  in  forty-eight  years  four 
thousand  have  died  in  Jesus — nearly  or  remotely  have  died 
in  faith  by  our  means. 

"You  will  be  planning  all  the  year.  You  will  collect  all 
the  information  you  can  for  the  superintendents.  Knoio 
men  and  things  well.  Seek  sanctification,  feel  it,  preach  it, 
live  it.  I  pray,  invariably,  for  all  the  presiding  elders,  by 
name,  twice  in  the  day.  When  the  connection  was  small, 
I  prayed  for  every  traveling  preacher  and  circuit;  now  by 
districts.     Let  us  be  as  one  soul — one  great  soul  of  the  body! 

"We  ought  to  teach  our  brethren  the  impossibility  of 
existing  as  a  people  without  union,  and  an  able  executive; 
for  thousands  of  our  people  know  not  their  right  from 
their  left  hand,  in  government.  If  there  is  treachery,  or 
disorder  in  the  body,  what  damage  will  ensue  to  spiritual 
life,  liberty,  and  prosperity!  The  more  sacred  the  inter- 
ests, the  greater  the  damage.  0,  how  careful  we  ought  to 
be  what  men  we  take  into  the  ministry,  and  spy  out  their 
motives  and  manners!  F.  Asbury." 

On  the  fourteenth  of  October,  1847, 1  visited  Mr.  Quinn, 
and  remained  nearly  two  days.  I  found  him  gradually 
sinking.  The  swelling  in  the  lower  extremities  was  ex- 
tending up  toward  his  body,  furnishing  a  clear  indication 
to  his  friends  that  his  end  was  nigh.  He  was  aware  of  it 
himself,  and,  being  "ready  to  be  offered,"  he  was  waiting 
till  his  change  should  come.  In  a  conversation  with  the 
writer,  he  most  touchingly,  yet  calmly,  referred  to  the  symp- 
toms of  his  rapidly-approaching  dissolution. 
26* 


306  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

After  his  return  from  conference,  he  went  from  home  but 
little.  He  was  once  called  to  the  house  of  a  neighbor,  to 
join  a  couple  together  in  holy  matrimony;  and  on  the  day 
of  the  annual  election  in  Ohio,  being  urged  by  several  of 
his  friends,  who  brought  a  carriage  to  convey  him  the 
short  distance  to  the  place  of  voting,  he  attended.  As  he 
approached  the  officers,  at  the  polls,  his  venerable  appear- 
ance and  dignified  manner  attracted  universal  attention; 
and  all  conversation  for  the  moment  was  suspended.  Ob- 
serving this  pause,  and  the  respect  shown  him,  he  con- 
cluded he  would  relieve  the  silence,  and  meet  what  might 
be  the  expectation  of  the  company,  by  the  following  short 
speech: 

"  Gentlemen, — I  am  permitted  once  more  to  exercise 
one  of  the  greatest  rights  that  belong  to  freemen — the 
right  of  suffrage.  This  inestimable  privilege  cost  the  blood 
and  treasure  of  our  forefathers,  who  secured  it  to  us,  their 
children.     It  is  sacred;  hold  it  fast." 

By  slow  degrees  his  flesh  continued  to  waste  away,  and 
his  strength  fail,  till,  on  the  twenty-second  of  November, 
he  was  attacked  with  a  hemorrhage  of  the  lungs.  He 
awoke  in  the  morning,  with  his  mouth  filled  with  blood; 
and,  after  the  first  discharge  had  passed,  he  calmly  informed 
his  wife  and  children  that  he  must  now  soon  leave  them. 
He  manifested  no  dread  of  death;  but,  with  a  sweet  sub- 
mission to  the  will  of  his  heavenly  Father,  he  waited  with 
unwavering  confidence  and  Christian  patience,  for  nine 
days,  for  him  to  finish  his  work,  and  release  him  from  his 
earthly  tabernacle.  The  rising  blood  so  obstructed  the 
organs  of  his  voice,  that  it  was  with  great  difficulty  he 
could  articulate  the  sound  of  words;  yet  he  would  try,  and 
was  often  distinctly  heard.  He  expatiated  on  the  theme 
of  human  salvation  through  Jesus  Christ,  as  realized  by 
himself  and  others,  by  faith  in  his  blood,  in  the  most  con- 
cise, pathetic,  and  eloquent  manner.     It  was  thought  by 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMBS  QUITO!.  307 

those  who  heard  him  that,  as  he  drew  near  to  his  heavenly 
inheritance,  his  soul  "caught  new  fire,"  <>r  received  addi- 
tional lighl  and  power  from  the  Spirit's  influence,  which 
enabled  him  to  set  forth  the  great  truths  of  our  holy  relig- 
ion with  extraordinary  perspicuity,  brevity,  and  force. 

To  a  neighbor  and  friend,  who  visited  him  in  his  last 
illness,  he  said,  "I  have  preached  Christ  more  than  forty- 
eight  years;"  and,  after  a  pause,  with  all  the  energy  he 
could  exert,  he  added,  with  emphasis,  "and  I  have  nothing 
to  take  back."  To  another  intimate  and  pious  friend,  he 
said,  "  I  have  been  looking  over  my  account,  and  iind  my- 
self much  in  arrears;  but  I  have  a  most  favorable  offset." 
He  then  referred  to,  and  pleaded  Christ's  atonement,  as  suf- 
ficient to  cancel  his  whole  debt,  and  wash  all  his  imperfec- 
tions away.  Very  often,  during  his  extreme  suffering,  he 
repeated,  with  much  apparent  confidence  and  comfort, 
these  words  of  the  Psalmist:  "My  flesh  and  my  heart  fail- 
eth;  but  God  is  the  strength  of  my  heart,  and  my  portion 
forever." 

After  recovering  from  a  paroxysm  of  coughing,  he  said 
to  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Hibbin,  who  adjusted  and  smoothed 
his  pillows, 

"  '  Calm  on  tumult's  wheel  I  fly.'  " 

At  a  similar  time  he  said  to  a  friend,  who  supported  his 
head  in  coughing,  "We  sometimes  sing  and  sometimes 
say, 

'Jesus  can  make  a  dying  bed 
Feel  soft  as  downy  pillows  are.' 

It  is  true;  it  is  true!" 

On  Monday,  the  twenty-ninth  of  November,  having 
closed  a  quarterly  meeting  some  fourteen  miles  from  his 
residence,  without  having  heard  of  his  increased  affliction, 
I  determined  to  visit  my  venerable  friend.  That  night  I 
arrived  within  four  miles  of  his  house,  where  I  first  heard 
of  his  dangerous  illness;  and  early  on  Tuesday  morning  I 


308  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

was  at  his  bedside.  Although  much  prostrated,  I  found 
him  perfectly  sensible,  and  able  to  converse  some.  He" 
gave  me  every  desirable  assurance  that  all  was  well;  that 
his  faith  took  hold  of  Christ,  his  mighty  advocate  with 
God;  and  that  his  comfort  was  strong  in  the  Lord.  His 
family,  for  whom  it  was  natural  for  him  to  feel  much 
solicitude,  he  had  committed  to  God  the  day  preceding; 
and  his  mind  appeared  to  be  perfectly  at  rest  in  regard  to 
those  dear,  loved  ones  he  was  about  to  leave. 

The  interesting  formula  which  he  adopted  in  committing 
his  wife  and  children  into  the  care  of  his  covenant-keeping 
God,  was  the  following: 

Being  bolstered  up  in  the  bed,  he  had  the  family  all 
collected  around.  His  eldest  daughter,  Mrs.  Clark,  then 
read  a  portion  of  the  holy  Scriptures,  which  he  directed 
her  to  select.  Each  member  of  the  family  then  kneeled 
down,  and  as  near  him  as  they  could,  and  he  offered  up  a 
most  fervent  prayer;  and  with  his  feeble,  tremulous  voice 
he  blessed  his  household,  and  commended  the  wife  of  his 
bosom,  and  all  his  children,  severally  and  collectively,  to 
the  protection  of  his  faithful  Creator. 

With  many  expressions  of  strong  confidence  in  God, 
and  his  implicit  trust  in  Christ  for  eternal  life,  this  dying 
saint  set  forth  to  me  his  own  happy  state,  by  relating  the 
circumstances  of  the  triumphant  death  of  a  very  pious 
Presbyterian  minister,  who  thus  reported  of  himself,  when 
dying:  "  'My  soul  is  staid  upon  the  living  God;  I  love  him 
and  he  loves  me;  and  he  never  will  forsake  me;  no,  never; 
never — no,  never — never' — and  continued  to  repeat  the 
words  'no,  never,  never,'  till  his  voice  was  lost  in  death." 

When  the  family  had  collected  in  his  room,  for  their 
morning  devotions,  I  took  up  the  Bible,  and  inquired  if 
there  was  any  particular  portion  of  God's  word  which  he 
desired  to  hear  read  once  more.  After  a  pause,  he  an- 
swered, "Read  the  twenty-third  and  twenty-fourth  Psalms; 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMBS  QUINN.  309 

and  read  the  twenty-fourth  first."  Now  appropriate  and 
rich  the  selection!  The  twenty-fourth  delineates  the  good 
man.  "Who  shall  ascend  into  the  hill  of  the  Lord?  or 
who  shall  stand  in  his  holy  place?  He  that  hath  clean 
hands,  and  a  pure  heart;  who  hath  not  lifted  up  his  soul 
unto  vanity,  nor  sworn  deceitfully."  The  twenty-third 
sets  forth  the  assurance  and  triumph  of  thai  good  man  in 
death.  "Yea,  though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of  the 
shadow  of  d.ath,  I  will  fear  no  evil;  for  thou  art  with  me: 
thy  rod  and  thy  staff  they  comfort  me!"  How  precious 
was  the  sound  of  these  words  to  the  good  man,  when  hear- 
ing them  read  lor  tin-  last  time  on  earth! 

After  reading  the  two  Psalms,  in  the  order  which  he 
dictated,  we  united  in  fervent  prayer.  He  appeared  per- 
fectly sensible  of  the  near  approach  of  death,  and,  like  a 
true  Christian,  he  was  suitably  affected  with  the  momentous 
circumstances  connected  with  his  exit  from  earth  to  an 
eternal  world.  His  ardent  spirit  seemed  to  adopt  every 
petition,  and  earnestly  plead  with  God  for  the  answer. 
He  frequently  and  audibly  responded  "Amen,"  while 
prayer  was  being  offered. 

By  previous  arrangement  I  was  under  the  necessity  of 
attending  a  meeting  of  stewards  fur  the  district,  that  day, 
at  Hillsboro.  I  remained  at  his  bedside  as  long  as  I  could 
that  forenoon,  which  was  nearly  four  hours,  and  then 
prayed  with  him  again.  On  taking  my  leave  of  him,  he 
pronounced  a  blessing  upon  me,  in  a  very  interesting  form 
of  Avords,  which  I  distinctly  heard,  and  can  never  forget. 

Soon  after  nightfall  I  returned,  and,  on  entering  this 
house  of  mourning,  I  found  him  rapidly  sinking  into  the 
arms  of  death.  He  appeared  almost  insensible;  but  my 
well-known  voice  aroused  him,  when  I  reported  my  ar- 
rival, and  he  expressed  thanks  to  God  twice,  that  I  had 
returned.  I  asked  him  if  he  still  enjoyed  peace;  and  he 
answered,  with  as  much  energy  and  pathos  as  his  weak 


310  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

state  would  allow:  "0,  yes;  all  is  peace."  These  were 
his  last  words  in  relation  to  his  spiritual  state  and  enjoy- 
ment. After  a  short  paroxysm  of  restlessness,  he  appeared 
to  pass  the  time  calmly,  sweetly,  and  in  comparative  ease. 

He  had  previously  requested,  that  when  he  was  dying 
his  wife  and  children  should  kneel  around  his  bed,  and 
that  some  one  should  offer  up  prayer  to  God  just  at  the 
time  of  his  departure. 

In  compliance  with  this  request,  at  midnight  all  the 
family,  except  three  distant  children,  collected  in  his  room. 
His  partner  in  life,  and  sharer  of  his  joys  and  sorrows, 
kneeled  in  front  of  his  bed;  his  children  present,  and  his 
half-brother,  Mr.  David  Quinn,  kneeled  around,  and  as 
near  as  convenient;  Rev.  J.  F.  Conrey,  the  stationed  min- 
ister at  Hillsboro,  took  his  position  at  the  head  of  the  bed; 
while  I  was  at  the  foot,  and  where  I  could  see  his  face, 
and  know  precisely  the  state  of  his  breathing.  When  it 
was  manifest  he  must  soon  pass  away,  the  writer  broke 
the  solemn  silence  by  offering  up  prayer  to  the  God  of  the 
widow  and  fatherless.  We  earnestly  implored  the  pro- 
tection and  blessing  of  Heaven  upon  the  deeply-afflicted 
family;  and  we  then  commended  the  soul  of  our  beloved 
friend,  and  the  devoted  servant  of  Christ  and  his  Church, 
into  the  hands  of  God.  The  family  continued  upon  their 
knees.  My  position  enabled  me  to  look  him  full  in  his 
countenance;  and,  although  there  was  no  struo-o-le  or 
groan,  I  perceived  his  respiration  grew  shorter  and  less 
frequent.  For  nearly  a  minute  he  turned  his  eyes  up- 
ward, and,  like  Stephen,  seemed  to  look  "steadfastly  into 
heaven,"  as  though  he  saw  the  commissioned  convoy  of 
angels  descending  to  escort  him  to  his  heavenly  inherit- 
ance. He  then,  with  apparent  design,  drew  down  his 
eyelids,  till  they  were  nearly  closed,  and  laid  his  hands 
across  his  breast.  Then  the  attenuated  thread  of  life 
gave  way — the  silver  cord  was  loosed,  and  the  golden 


LIFE  AND  LADORS  OF  JAMES  QUINN.  311 

bowl  was  broken;  and  the  weary  wheels  of  nature  stood 
still.  The  earthly  tabernacle  was  dissolved,  and  the 
spirit,  with  all  its  matured  graces  and  rich  endowments, 
released  from  its  clay  tenement,  was  accompanied  by 
angels  to  the  paradise  of  God.     Thus, 

"  Sweetly  as  babes  sleep,  did  he  give  his  life  up," 
on  the  morning  of  the  first  day  of  December,  1847,  half 
an  hour  after  midnight. 

I  announced  to  the  bereaved  family,  and  for  the  infor- 
mation of  all  present,  "He  is  gone."  Never  can  I  forget 
the  heart-rending  and  deep  emotions  which  were  felt  at  the 
moment  of  this  announcement.  The  scene  was  overwhelm- 
ing. Every  heart  was  touched.  Some  wept  in  silence, 
while  others  could  not  restrain  the  outbursts  of  strong 
feeling.  After  a  solemn  pause,  Mrs.  Quinn  arose  from  her 
knees,  and,  having  kissed  the  lips  that  felt  no  kiss,  she 
retired  into  another  apartment;  and  I  closed  his  eyes. 

In  consultation  with  the  family  and  friends,  it  was  de- 
termined that  his  burial  should  take  place  at  1 1  o'clock, 
A.  M.,  on  Friday,  the  third  day  of  December.  He  had 
selected  the  place  himself,  and  wished  his  remains  to  be 
laid  near  those  of  his  brother,  Dr.  Isaac  Quinn,  in  the 
graveyard  at  Auburn  Chapel,  nearly  three  miles  distant. 
It  v/as  agreed,  also,  as  all  his  children,  of  both  marriages, 
except  two,  could  be  present  at  his  interment,  that  the 
funeral  discourse  should  be  delivered  at  the  same  time. 
In  compliance  with  the  instructions  which  he  furnished  the 
writer  eight  months  before  he  died,  the  obsequies  were 
attended  to.  On  Friday  morning  many  of  his  neighbors 
and  intimate  friends  assembled  at  his  late  residence,  and 
we  united  in  prayer,  worshiping  the  God  of  our  fathers. 
We  then  moved  in  procession  to  the  chapel,  where,  the 
corpse  being  placed  in  the  altar,  we  proceeded  with  the 
solemn  services.  Opportunities  to  circulate  the  notice  of 
the  funeral  were  limited;  but,  notwithstanding  the  weather 


312  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

was  somewhat  inclement,  and  roads  difficult,  the  church 
was  well  filled.  The  writer  attempted  to  improve  the 
mournful  occasion  in  the  use  of  the  favorite  motto  of  the 
deceased:  "I  will  go  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord  God;  I 
will  make  mention  of  thy  righteousness,  even  of  thine 
only,"  Psalms  lxxi,  16. 

It  may  be  of  some  interest  to  the  reader  to  have  a 
synopsis  of  the  sermon: 

This  is  the  pious  purpose  of  a  pious  mind,  in  view  of 
any  lawful  enterprise;  and,  to  improve  it  in  application  to 
the  subject  of  our  present  discourse,  we  will  consider, 

I.  The  conviction  of  duty  realized  in  a  call  to  the  Chris- 
tian ministry,  and  the  purpose  of  mind  raised  thereon. 

It  is  God's  prerogative  to  call  and  commission  men  to 
preach  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ.  Hence,  it  is 
inquired,  "How  shall  they  believe  on  Him  of  whom  they 
have  not  heard?  and  how  shall  they  hear  without  a 
preacher?  and  how  shall  they  preach  except  they  be  sent?" 
The  Lord  Jehovah  alone  has  the  right  to  send  the  preacher; 
therefore,  our  Church,  in  the  examination  of  her  ministers, 
asks  this  question,  "Do  you  trust  that  you  are  inwardly 
moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost  to  take  upon  you  the  office  of 
the  ministry  in  the  Church  of  Christ,  to  serve  God  for  the 
promoting  of  his  glory,  and  the  edifying  of  his  people?" 
The  answer  is,  "I  trust  so;"  which  all  should  be  able  to 
render  before  they  enter  upon  this  holy  vocation.  St. 
Paul  said,  "Necessity  is  laid  upon  me;  yea,  woe  is  unto 
me  if  I  preach  not  the  Gospel."  A  similar  conviction,  we 
believe,  was  produced  on  the  mind  of  our  beloved  James 
Quinn;  and  that  he  yielded  to  the  heavenly  calling,  under 
the  influence  of  the  same  motives  and  fearful  sanctions. 

Now,  the  purpose  of  mind  raised  from  this  clear  convic- 
tion of  duty,  is, 

1.  I  will  go  in  obedience  to  thy  authoritative  command. 
It  is  "the  King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords,"  who  says, 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAM]  B   QUI  XX.  313 

"Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  Gospel  to  every 

creature." 

2.  I  will  go  under  an  abiding  sense  thai  it  is  my  duty 
to  go;  and,  while  J  tremble  al  the  fearful  responsibility  that 
rests  upon  me,  I  will  go  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord  God. 

3.  1  will  go  with  a  humble  reliance  on  thy  strength. 
This  was  the  piUpose  of  the  venerable  James  Quinn;  and 
in  this  was  found  the  reason  of  his  great  influence  over  his 
congregations,  and  the  secret  of  his  success;  and  every 
minister  who  would  win  souls  to  Christ,  and  promote  the 
cause  of  his  divine  Master  in  the  world,  must  rely  upon  the 
same  source  for  help. 

II.  The  righteousness  of  God,  of  which  the  minister  is 
to  make  mention. 

It  is  the  duty  of  the  minister  to  set  forth  the  righteous- 
ness of  God,  in  the  redemption  of  our  lost  race,  through 
an  incarnate  and  a  suffering  Mediator,  who  became  a  sin- 
offering  for  us,  who  knew  no  sin,  "that  we  might  be  made 
the  righteousness  of  God  in  him."  As  there  were  two 
whole  and  perfect  natures  in  Christ — the  Godhead  and 
manhood — he  was  under  obligations  to  no  superior  or  to 
any  law,  and  was,  therefore,  competent,  voluntarily,  to 
become  subject  to  our  law,  and.  by  obedience  thereto,  to 
magnify  and  make  it  honorable;  and  by  suffering  the  death 
of  the  cross  he  hath  wrought  out  an  extraordinary  work  of 
righteousness,  which  is  "a  full,  perfect,  and  sufficient 
sacrifice,  oblation,  and  satisfaction,  for  the  sins  of  the 
whole  world."  God's  righteousness  being  thus  declared,  it 
is  manifest  to  all  that  "  God  can  now  be  just,  and  the  jus- 
tifier  of  him  who  believeth  in  Jesus." 

The  minister  is  to  mention  God's  method  of  savins'  sin- 

o 

ners,  and  declare  his  righteousness  in  this  respect  only; 
"for  there  is  none  other  name  under  heaven  given  among 
men  whereby  we  must  be  saved,"  but  Christ's. 

The  method  of  being  saved  through  the  merit  of  our 
27 


314  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

good  works  can  never  succeed.  Equally  ineffectual,  and, 
if  possible,  more  absurd,  is  the  doctrine  of  metempsycho- 
sis, or  the  transmigration  of  souls,  and  modern  Universal- 
ism,  as  well  as  several  other  theories  of  human  invention, 
that  we  have  not  time  to  enumerate.  The  meritorious  and 
sacrificial  death  of  Christ,  appropriated  to  our  moral 
nature,  "through  faith  in  his  blood,"  is  the  only  possible 
way  of  reconciliation  and  acceptance  Avith  God.  Many 
who  hear  me  to-day  know  this  was  a  peculiar  theme  with  our 
deceased  friend,  and  will  remember  with  what  great  zeal 
he  would  insist  upon  these  cardinal  truths;  namely,  sal- 
vation through  the  mediation  and  atonement  of  Christ,  and 
justification  by  faith  alone.  On  these  essential  points  he 
excelled,  and  was  "a  wise  master  builder;"  exhibiting,  in 
the  clearest  light  and  force,  the  foundation  of  the  hope  of 
all  our  lost  race. 

2.  The  true  minister  will  set  forth  the  righteousness  of 
God,  in  governing  the  wide-spread  family  of  man;  first,  by 
his  laws.  "Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all 
thy  heart,  with  all  thy  soul,  with  all  thy  mind,  and  with 
all  thy  strength,  and  thy  neighbor  as  thyself."  In  these 
two  precepts  are  found  an  epitome  of  all  law  which  God 
has  promulgated  for  the  moral  government  of  the  world; 
and  in  them  is  manifest  the  righteousness  of  God.  Second, 
by  his  providences,  which  also  exhibit  to  our  view  the 
righteousness  of  God.  Some  things,  in  the  providences  of 
God,  may  appear  mysterious,  and  we  may  not  be  able  to 
know  the  reasons  for  many  events;  yet  let  us  submit  to  the 
righteousness  'of  God.  He  is  too  wise  to  err,  and  to  good 
to  be  unkind.  He  can  never  make  a  mistake,  or  do  any 
thing  wrong.     0,  for  resignation! 

In  these  respects,  also,  the  deceased  did  not  fail  to  make 
mention  of  the  righteousness  of  God  in  all  his  ministra- 
tions; and  he  urged  his  hearers  patiently  to  suffer,  as  well 
as  faithfully  to  do,  the  will  of  God;    and,  wfrat  was  still 


LIFE  AM)   1.  Mum;-.  Qf  .IAMK-   Ql   INN.  315 

better,  he  enforced  his  admonitions  and  exhortations  by  his 
own  example.  0,  thai  we  may  all  follow  him,  as  he  fol- 
lowed  the  directions  and  example  of  Christ! 

After    the    sermon    was   delivered,   Rev.  J.   I'.   Conrey 

closed  the  services  in  the  church  by  singing  and  prayer, 
and  the  congregation  moved  in  procession  a  short  distance 
to  the  grave,  where  the  burial  Bervice  was  read,  entire; 
and  we  deposited  all  that  was  mortal  of  that  man  of  God, 
to  await  the  sound  of  the  trumpet  al  the  last  day,  when 
''the  dead  shall  be  raised  incorruptible." 

It  may  be  of  interest  to  some  to  add,  in  this  place,  that 
his  tomb  may  be  seen  at  Auburn  Church,  on  the  road  lead- 
ing from  Hillsboro  to  Jamestown,  and  five  miles  north  of 
the  former  place. 

Many  members  of  the  Ohio  conference  have  united  their 
contributions  and  erected  a  monument  to  his  memory. 
The  nether  base  is  of  hard  limestone.  The  second  base  is 
of  marble,  on  which  rests  the  beautiful  marble  obelisk, 
making  the  entire  hight  more  than  ten  feet. 

On  the  monument  is  the  following  inscription: 

G  B  A  v  B 

of 

JAMES    Q  U I N  N , 

who  was  nearly 

half   a  century 

a  minister  of 

the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

Died 

December   1 ,  1847; 

Aged  72  years 

and  8  months. 

Erected  by  his 
brethren  <>f  t  li  e 

Ohio  conference. 

WlUGUT  AMI  COMNXLL, 


316  SKETCHES  OF  THE 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

His  person — Hight — Never  corpulent — His  countenance — Hair — 
Social  qualities — Admired  and  respected  by  all  who  knew  him — 
Movements  of  body  and  mind — Steady  and  uniform — Promptness 
in  decision  and  action — Ministerial  vows — Of  moral  obligation — 
Discharged  his  duty  in  every  relation — In  strict  conformity  to 
rule — Appearance  in  the  pulpit — Impression  of  his  hearers — His 
voice — Eloquence — His  style — Mixture  of  argument  and  applica- 
tion— Addressed  the  understanding  and  the  heart — The  Bible  was 
his  authority — Selected  his  subjects  with  judgment — Skill  in  his 
arrangement — Well  instructed  in  the  Scriptures,  and  all  subjects 
connected  with  his  work — Could  manage  well  what  he  knew — 
The  atonement  his  favorite — All  the  attributes  combined — Scenes 
of  Calvary — Great  effect  on  his  auditors — Lover  of  the  poets — 
Used  them  to  good  effect — Can  not  be  described — His  conversation 
was  a  feast — A  lover  of  Methodism — Was  set  for  its  defense — His 
public  prayers — Abounding  in  Scripture  language — Taught  much 
truth  in  his  prayers. 

The  following  sketch  of  the  person,  character,  and 
talents  of  Mr.  Quinn  was  written,  at  my  earnest  request, 
by  Rev.  Z.  Connell,  of  the  Ohio  conference.  I  most 
cordially  adopt  it,  not  only  as  furnishing  very  accurate 
delineations  of  the  subjects  treated,  but  also  exceedingly 
appropriate  for  the  closing  chapter  of  this  biography: 

"In  sketching  the  character  of  this  eminent  minister 
and  man  of  God,  there  are  changes  at  different  periods 
of  his  life,  when  he  may  be  seen  rising  step  by  step  to  the 
meridian  of  his  greatness  and  usefulness  in  the  Church. 
But,  in  following  him  thenceforward  through  other  sue- 
cessive  changes  of  various  incidents,  and  sometimes  into 
shades  of  darkness,  till  the  night  of  death  fell  upon  him, 
we  are  saved  the  pain,  too  often  realized  in  such  cases,  of 
recording  any  loss  of  the  confidence  of  his  friends  in  the 
ministry,  or  membership  of  the  Church.  And  there  was 
less  depreciation  of  talents  and  usefulness,  and  a  less 
number  of  such  other  events  as  usually  occur  at  such  an 


LIFE  AND    LAUOKS  UK  JAMES   Ql   INN.  317 

advanced  age,  which  are  calculated  to  Bhed  a  gloom  ovei 

the  minds  of  those  with  whom  he  associated. 

"As  brother  Quins  whs  so  well  known  to  the  ministers 
and  members  of  tin ■  Church,  it  might  be  though!  altogether 
unnecessary  to  attempt  any  portrait  of  his  person,  relig- 
ious character,  or  talents.  It  must  be  recollected,  how- 
ever, that  the  name,  numerous  labors,  and  great  usefulness 
of  James  Quinn,  w<  ted  principally  with  west*  in 

Methodism;  and  that  comparatively  few  who  will  lead 
the  history  of  American  Methodism  will  have  had  any 
personal  acquaintance  with  him;  and  some,  at  least,  may 
feel  an  interest  in  surveying  even  an  imperfect  portrait  of 
so  good  and  useful  a  servant  of  the  Church.  This  may 
justify  an  intimate  friend  in  venturing  some  remarks  of 
this  kind,  familiar  as  many  may  have  been  with  him  as  a 
man,  a  Christian,  and  a  minister. 

"Brother  Quinn  was  a  man  more  than  usually  comely, 
and  interesting  in  his  personal  appearance;  so  much  so, 
that  his  manly  and  graceful  form  eminently  iitted  him  for 
the  grave  profession  of  the  ministry.  His  stature  was 
about  live  feet  ten  inches,  and  the  frame  of  his  bod 
markably  "well  proportioned.  He  was  never  inclined  to 
corpulence,  and  from  about  the  middle  to  the  close  of 
lite  he  became  more  lean,  till  the  frame  was  left  with  but 
little  except  ii-  ihin  covering.  When  standing  in  the  pul- 
pit or  elsewhere,  or  when  walking,  he  inclined  :i  little 
forward.  His  forehead  was  prominent  and  broad,  and  his 
face  was  wall  proportioned.     His  eyes  were  brown,  and 

ids  head,  and 
rather  proji  cted  eyebrows.     His  ] 

.   with   very  ihin    lips,   and    1 
sharp,      lie  had  a  full  suit  of  black  hair,  which  he  .-;'■ 
kept    of    moderate    leng  smoothly    down 

according  to   its  natural   inclination. 
years  his  hair  bee  ore  his  death  ic  was 


318  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

white  as  wool;  but  it  never  fell  off  so  as  to  leave  him  bald. 
For  a  man  with  dark  hair,  eyes,  and  eyebrows,  his  com- 
plexion was  more  than  usually  fair. 

"We  may  justly  say,  that,  though  no  one  impression 
was  very  strongly  marked  in  his  countenance,  there  were 
charms  standing  out,  of  lovely  form,  which  left  a  deep  and 
cherished  impression  upon  the  remembrance  of  those  who 
had  the  pleasure  of  an  intimate  acquaintance  with  him. 
No  one  could  be  in  his  society,  admitted  to  the  hospitali- 
ties of  his  fireside,  and  enjoy  the  privilege  of  his  friend- 
ship, without  a  deep  feeling  of  respect,  nor  without  finding 
that  respect  growing  and  ripening  into  cordial  and  affec- 
tionate attachment.  All  his  demeanor  and  conversation 
in  the  social  circle  were  characterized  by  a  dignified  sim- 
plicity, a  majesty  free  from  pomp,  and  a  manly  grandeur, 
which  gave  delicacy,  charm,  and  pathos  to  his  friendship 
and  conversation. 

"The  movements  of  his  body  and  mind  were  alike;  not 
hasty,  nor  yet  were  they  tardy.  He  sat,  stood,  and 
walked,  in  private  and  in  public,  with  great  dignity  and 
ease,  and  yet  free  from  all  stiffness  and  effort  to  show 
any  thing  like  dignity  or  greatness.  He  did  not  think  or 
speak  rapidly;  nor  was  he  a  cold,  plodding  theorist,  or  a 
dull,  prosing  speaker.  He  permitted  no  subject,  to  which 
his  thoughts  were  directed,  to  be  decided  and  acted  upon 
without  due  consideration;  and,  when  fully  investigated, 
all  matters  were  decided  and  acted  upon  with  sufficient 
promptness  to  let  nothing  hang  heavily  on  his  hands. 
The  feelings  of  his  heart  were  so  kept  under  the  control 
of  a  calm  and  sober  judgment,  that  he  was  not  impelled 
by  that  effervescence  of  zeal  which  is  without  knowledge. 
He  was  a  consistent,  lively,  warm-hearted  Christian  minis- 
ter. His  effusions  were  neither  an  impetuous  torrent  of 
words,  nor  a  dry,  drawn-out  essay,  without  the  breath  of 
life. 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMKs  Q1   INN.  319 

"Mr.  Quinn's  ministerial  vows  rested  upon  him  with 
great  moral  weight.  Obedience  to  the  rule  and  order  of 
the  Discipline  of  the  Church,  and  subordination  to  her 
properly -constituted  authorities,  he  always  deemed  essen- 
tial, and  of  binding  moral  obligation.  As  junior  preacher, 
shei  in  charge,  and  presiding  elder,  he  always  acted 
in  stricl  conformity  with  the  duties  of  the  relations  and 
offices- as  laid  down  in  the  Discipline.  All  tin- duties  of 
the  stations  and  offices  which  he  was  called  to  fill,  lie 
looked  upon  as  engagements  which  he  had  contracted  to 
fulfil]  with  the  solemnity  of  an  oath.  He  believed  the 
rights,  privileges,  and  responsibilities  of  ministers  in  the 
various  relations,  orders,  and  offices  in  the  Church  of 
Christ  to  be  reciprocal,  and  that  the  duties  of  each  should 
be  performed  in  their  proper  place.  And  while  a  high 
sense  of  moral  obligation  might  have  been  traced  through 
all  the  relations  in  which  he  was  placed,  he  was  never 
known  to  step  out  of  his  own  appropriate  sphere.  Strict 
conformity  to  rule  and  order,  without  ostentatious  show, 
was  a  striking  trail  in  his  character. 

"But  in  any  memorial  of  the  life  of  James  Quinn,  a 
description  of  what  he  was  as  a  preacher,  must  be  of 
chief  account  in  this  imperfect  sketch.  His  personal  ap- 
pearance in  the  pulpit  was  in  striking  conformity  to  the 
temper  of  his  mind.  His  countenance  was  unusually  cool 
and  unmoved  in  its  aspect  when  he  commenced  the 
services  of  the  sanctuary.  His  whole  mien,  however, 
impressed  his  hearers  that  he  possessed  powers  adequate 
to  the  most  declared  and  full  manifestation  of  the  deep 
and  sublime  truths  of  the  Gospel.  As  he  advanced  and 
became  warmed  into  excitement  by  the  inspiration  of  his 
theme,  his  countenance  kindled  into  light,  and  at  times  it 
would  become  lighted  up  to  almost  a  glare.  His  voice 
was  not  very  strong,  but  it  was  clear,  sweet,  and  full  of 
melody.     It  was  perfectly  manageable  when  not  strained, 


320  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

or  raised  to  its  highest  point  of  elevation,  and  peculiarly- 
adapted  to  grave  subjects.  There  was  a  blended  solemnity 
and  pathos  in  his  easy,  smooth,  original  eloquence,  which 
made  an  impression  that  the  coldest  apathy  could  hardly 
resist.  His  style  was  chaste  and  pathetic,  his  enunciation 
clear  and  distinct,  and  his  words  were  well  chosen  and 
full  of  meaning.  His  subjects  were  for  the  greater  part 
doctrinal;  but  his  manner  of  treating  them  was  neither  a 
process  of  cold,  metaphysical  reasoning,  nor  a  boisterous 
and  desultory  declaiming.  There  was  a  due  mixture  of 
argument  and  application,  of  gravity  and  warmth,  in  his 
sermons,  by  which  he  addressed  himself  to  the  under- 
standings of  his  hearers,  and  at  the  same  time  seized  the 
hearts  and  won  the  affection  of  the  attentive  listeners. 
Language  was  ready  at  his  command,  and  always  seemed 
to  be  suited  to  his  purpose,  whether  for  nice  distinctions 
in  points  of  doctrine,  for  clothing  grand  and  sublime  sub- 
jects, for  pathetic  expostulations,  for  strong  invective,  or 
for  common,  plain  topics.  Whatever  help  he  drew  from  the 
powers  and  means  of  reason  and  argument,  he  constantly 
referred  to  the  Bible,  as  the  supreme  and  final  authority; 
from  a  firm  belief  that  all  Christian  doctrines  and  rules  of 
human  conduct  must,  both  in  their  statement  and  proof, 
be  drawn  from  the  holy  Scriptures. 

"Brother  Quinn  always  manifested  great  judgment  in 
the  selection  of  his  subjects,  and  much  skill  in  the  arrange- 
ment and  management  of  his  sermons.  He  kept  the  feel- 
ings of  his  hearers  alive  to  every  sentiment  which  he  ad- 
vanced. He  made  no  pretensions  to  literary  attainments, 
yet  he  was  well  instructed  in  the  holy  Scriptures,  and  such 
subjects  as  were  connected  with  his  profession  as  a  Christian 
minister.  The  richness,  variety,  and  extent  of  his  knowl- 
edge were  not  so  remarkable  as  his  mastery  over  what  he 
knew.  But  he  always  appeared  to  the  best  advantage  when 
Ue   unvailed  the  mercy-seat,  and  made  the  hearts  of  his 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMBS  QUINN.  321 

hearers  vibrate  with  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  pro- 
claimed through  the  blood  of  atonement.  He  seemed  to 
range  among  the  prophets  with  a  kindred  spirit,  so  as  to 
afford  scene-  of  the  fulfillment  of  their  predictions  around 
the  cross  and  Calvary.  He  was  mighty  in  the  Scriptures, 
mostly  because  their  truths  deeply  affected  his  own  heart. 
But  he  had  studied  them  so  as  to  be  well  acquainted  with 
the  great  system  of  salvation  which  they  revealed.  He 
fortified  every  part  and  point  of  his  sermons  with  Scripture 
well  chosen,  and  quoted  with  the  strictest  accuracy. 

"The  priesthood  and  atonement  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  justification  by  faith,  and  holiness  of  heart, 
as  the  benefits  of  Christ's  death  flowing  to  us,  were 
themes  on  which  he  delighted  to  dwell.  He  moved  about 
the  cross  as  though  he  was  a  native  of  that  consecrated 
place.  His  contemplations  of  the  scene  were  thrilling,  his 
allusions  and  images  were  of  the  richest  class,  and  his 
words  so  exquisite  that  they  fell  upon  the  ear  as  the 
dialect  of  heaven.  As  he  portrayed  all  the  Divine  attri- 
butes and  perfections  separately,  and  then  combined  in 
the  great  scheme  of  redemption,  in  the  administration  of 
the  Divine  government,  and  the  dispensations  of  Provi- 
dence, the  bright  assemblage  formed  a  theme  which  over- 
whelmed and  humbled  the  proudest  heart;  and  so  sub- 
dued as  in  the  presence  of  the  Lord  himself.  Meekly  and 
adoringly  the  responses  of  praise  were  often  involuntarily 
uttered.  But  when  he  expatiated  on  the  redemption  of 
the  world  by  Jesus  Christ,  the  benevolence  of  its  character, 
the  richness  and  fullness  of  its  provisions,  its  adaptedness 
to  the  wants  of  fallen  man — it  was  then  that  he  opened  to 
the  view  of  his  hearers  the  tremendous  >emes  of  Calvary, 
and  traced  the  sufferings  of  Christ  and  his  painful  di 
the  value  and  extent  <>t  the  atonement,  and  the  rich  bless- 
ings purchased  by  his  precious  blood,  with  such  force 
that   their   hearts   were   made  to   glow   and   thrill  with 


322  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

animation,  to  startle  with  amazement,  to  shrink  with  awe, 
and  vibrate  in  sympathy  with  the  tones  of  a  Savior's  dying 
love  pictured  in  all  his  extreme  agonies  and  deep  humilia- 
tion. But  the  power  to  enchain,  and  perfectly  command 
such  varied  impulses,  and  achieve  such  workings,  was 
always  by  him  attributed  to  the  Holy  Spirit  giving  energy 
to  revealed  truth,  by  which  it  was  commended  to  the 
conscience. 

"Although  Mr.  Quinn's  main  strength  as  a  successful 
minister  was  drawn  from  the  holy  Scriptures,  with  which 
long  study  and  habitual  use  had  made  him  perfectly 
familiar,  he  availed  himself  of  other  helps.  He  was  a 
great  lover  of  the  poets;  and  few  pulpit  speakers  used 
them  to  better  advantage.  But  he  did  not  waste  his  time, 
and  weaken  the  force  of  his  sermons,  by  drawing  upon 
every  pretender  to  this  sublime  art.  He  blended  the  pure 
and  sublime  strains  of  poetry  with  the  pure  and  elegant 
language  of  inspiration.  With  Milton  he  would  become 
fired,  as  he  described,  with  all  the  force  of  language, 

'  The  infernal  serpent, 
with  ambitious  aim/ 

raising  war  in  heaven,  and  planning  and  securing  the 
destruction  of  this  fair  creation.  But  his  soul  would  be- 
come elevated  to  its  highest  pitch  of  exultation,  and  filled 
with  reverence  and  lowly  devotion,  at  the  appearance  of 
the  Son  of  God, 

'  From  the  right  hand  of  glory,  where  he  sat, 
As  the  third  sacred  morn  began  to  shine, 
Dawning  through  heaven.' 

Young,  Thomson,  Cowper,  and  others  of  the  same  class, 
occupied  a  place  in  his  high  esteem.  He  used  the  poetry 
of  the  Wesleys  and  Watts  with  great  effect  in  his  sermons. 
"James  Quinn  must  have  been  seen  and  heard,  to  form 
any  adequate  idea  of  him  as  a  preacher.  I  can  neither 
describe  what  his  preaching  was,  nor  do  justice  to  my 


LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QITXN.  323 

conceptions  of  it.  Any  attempt  of  the  kind  may  be 
thought  an  intrusion,  and  may  be  regarded  aa  superfluous 
by  thus.-  who  may  bave  long  had  the  means  of  an  exten- 
sive acquaintance  with  him,  and  of  forming  a  judgment  of 
him  as  a  man,  a  Christian,  and  a  minister.  My  long  and 
intimate  acquaintance  with  him,  and  the  true  friendship 
which  existed  between  us,  may,  with  other  considerations, 
justify  at  least  an  attempt  to  give  the  short  description 
wished  for  by  our  mutual  friend.  I  have  often  sat  under 
his  ministry,  and  heard  his  sermons  delivered  with  so 
much  ardor  of  feeling  and  sentiment,  that  I  could  not 
believe  it  was  in  the  power  of  any  man  to  present  the 
truths  of  the  Gospel  in  a  more  lucid  manner. 

"I  have  sat  with  him  by  the  fireside  of  his  own  dwell- 
ing and  elsewhere,  and  listened  to  his  conversation  with 
unspeakable  delight.  He  talked  of  books  as  if  he  had 
made  their  contents  his  own.  To  hear  him  was  to  enjoy 
a  rich  feast.  He  often  spoke  of  the  early  ministers  of  the 
Church,  and  his  association  with  them,  with  uncommon 
interest.  Bishops  Coke,  Whatcoat,  Asbury,  M'Kendree, 
and  many  others  were  his  associates,  and  early  fellow- 
laborers  in  the  ministry.  He  cherished  a  most  affectionate 
remembrance  of  them.  He  was  a  true  lover  of  Wesleyan 
Methodism  as  it  was  established  by  'our  fathers.'  And 
he  always  observed  well,  and  defended  its  ancient  land- 
marks. 

"His  public  prayers  were  what  might  have  been  looked 
for.  They  evinced  great  and  deep  exercise  of  thought; 
and  as  to  the  devotional  spirit  in  which  they  were  offered 
at  the  throne  of  grace,  only  one  impression  prevailed. 
There  were  the  evident  marks  of  seriousness,  solemnity, 
simplicity,  plainness,  genuine  piety,  and  humble  prostra- 
tion of  the  whole  heart  before  the  Almighty.  There  was 
nothing  showy  in  the  language,  but  they  were  always  in 
good  taste;  and  they  might  have  been  called  'a  thinking 


324  LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  JAMES  QCTNN. 

performance.'  His  prayers  showed  great  and  familiar 
acquaintance  with  the  states  and  moral  characters  of  men. 
His  thoughts  seemed  naturally  to  recognize  the  condition  of 
the  people.  His  prayers  were  interspersed  with  appropriate 
passages  of  Scripture,  suited  to  the  circumstances  and  con- 
ditions of  the  assembly.  The  well-selected  parts  of  Scrip- 
ture brought  into  his  prayers  gave  them  great  effect,  and 
secured  attention  and  admiration.  The  succession  of  sen- 
tences in  direct  order,  led  the  hearer's  mind  distinctly  to 
the  object  prayed  for;  and  as  a  very  large  proportion  of 
these  sentences  were  in  Scripture  language,  the  mind  was 
led  at  once  to  the  exact  import  of  the  prayer.  Bishop 
M'Kendree  once  said  in  the  hearing  of  the  writer,  '  There 
is  more  preaching  in  James  Quinn's  prayers,  than  in  the 
prayers  of  any  man  I  have  ever  heard.'  " 

The  secret  of  Mr.  Quinn's  great  success  at  sundry 
periods  of  his  ministry,  was  the  moral  power  which 
attended  his  efforts ;  and  it  may  be  exemplified  by  the  fol- 
lowing narrative,  related  by  Mr.  Flavel:  Ruffinus  reports 
that  at  the  Council  of  Nice,  a  godly  man,  of  no  great  learn- 
ing, was  the  instrument  of  converting  a  learned  philosopher, 
whom  the  bishops,  with  all  their  arguments,  could  not  per- 
suade; of  which  the  philosopher  himself  gave  this  remark- 
able account:  "While  you  reasoned  with  me,"  said  he  to 
the  bishops,  "against  words  I  opposed  words;  and  what  was 
spoken,  I  overthrew  by  the  art  of  speaking;  but  when, 
instead  of  words,  power  came  out  of  the  mouth  of  the 
speaker,  words  could  no  longer  withstand  truth,  nor  man 
resist  the  power  of  God." 


THE    END. 


U30.0 


Q45 


COLUMBIA  UNIVERSITY 


3035521 570 


BOUND 

MAR  2  6  1954 


